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September 2011 | www.urbantrendsetters.com | “More than a magazine. It’s a Lifestyle”
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CONTENTS
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OCTOBER EDITION NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2011 Back to Business Happy Thanksgiving 2011 What’s your survival Busines, Resource, Development Holiday Shopper’s Guide plan for 2012?and MORE!
Ads & Content Due 9/16/11 Ads & Content Due: 10/18/11 Ads & Content Due: 11/11/11Issue Hits the Streets: 10/01/11 Issue Hits the Streets: 11/01/11 Issue Hits the Streets: 11/22/11
For more information call: 866-970-4UTS (4887)
DON’T WAIT...RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY!!!
URBAN TRENDSETTERS UPCOMING EDITIONS
UTS PublisherSharon S. Gordon
Family Trends UTS HIGHLIGHTS --Champions of Diversity Event--Outreach Trends September 28, 2011 (page 6)
Trendsetters Speak UTS RADIO SPOTLIGHT!!
14
“Why prison is hit-or-miss for hip-hop stars?” Are you a local music artist, business owner , entrepreneur, church organizer, event coordinator?
Go on Air with UTS Radio!!!
10
PUBLISHER’S PAGE
TEAM UTS
Publisher/CEOSharon S. Gordon
VP Sales and MarketingCassaundra Crawford
Contributing WritersDelois R. Wright
Pierrette “Petee” TalleyA. Christina Dunlap
Tamara Fournier
Social Media DirectorMykayla Bryant
DistributionW. Cobre’ Gordon
PhotographyW. Cobre” Gordon
Creative DirectorAmber Payne
Promotions/PRTracy Taylor
Inside Sales AssistantsJada Green
Keshia Peterson
ColumbusPatricia Johnson
Leonette Robinson
Dayton/CincinnatiTamiko Troutman
Juanita Michelle SanaeCamela Douglas
Office ManagerLaTasha Naphier
Greetings, As we ready ourselves for the fall/winter sea-son, our theme is “Our Network is Our Net Wealth”. It is my belief that in order for small businesses and our community to survive the current economic situation, and to succeed we have to build our small business network.Social business networking is an essential skill for most business people, but especially for entrepreneurs. The strong association between the entrepreneur as a person and his or her business demands that entrepreneurs get out into the world and create and maintain business relationships. The basic principles of networking follow three universal laws that I feel are the core to building a successful business and personal network:
1. The law of abundance. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone – plenty of ideas, clients, custom-ers, jobs and so on. Just because your diary is empty does not mean that there are no opportunities around. Great networkers believe in an abundance of opportunities.
2. The law of reciprocity. What you give out comes back tenfold. If you give out help, you get back help; give out love, you get back love; give out information, you get back information. The challenge, of course, is that although for you the giving is instant and in the short term, the receiving may not happen for some time. Also, what is returned may not come from the person to whom it was given, however, great network-ers believe firmly that what you give out comes back tenfold.
3. The law of giving without expectation. This occurs when you give without an expectation of receiving something. You do something for someone not to get something back, but because you want to help them achieve their goal.
This month we invite you to participate in a new campaign called “Cast Your Net” The 90 Days of Network-ing Project. This new campaign will launch in October 1, 2011 and run through December 31, 2012. At the end of the 90 days all participants will have had the opportunity to increase their potential client/part-nership and data base to over 500 new members.
90 Days of Networking will include a 90 Day Networking Journal filled with income producing activities, motivation quotes and free tools and exercises that you can use to market your business more effectively. Log onto www.urbantrendsetters.com to register for the 90 Days Project, its FREE!
I look forward to networking with you in upcoming months. Urban Trendsetters will be hosting monthly networking events to help you meet and greet with new empowerment partners. Now actively attempt to introduce yourself to 10 new business partners this month and bless one another’s business.
Happy Networking and I’ll see you in the streets,
Sharon S. [email protected]
From the Publisher
September 2011 | More than a Magazine, It’s a lifestyle www . urbantrendsetters . comPage [ � }
Luncheon & Career Fair 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Career Fair 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
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REGISTER NOW TO REGISTER AND LEARN MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
www.refocusingyou.org
The InauguralRefocusing, Rebalancing, and Rediscovering You!
Jeffrey Mansion (Bexley)165 Parkview Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43209
Saturday, September 10, 20119:00am to 4:30pm
2011Power Networking Recap
State News
The Powernetworking Conference is a ‘once-a-year’ gathering of our best and brightest minds, as well as an‘elite’ group of Speakers and Celebrities as-sembled in Black America. The incredibly popular POWERNETWORKING EVENINGS is an opportunity to directly engage speak-ers, experts and extraordinarily successful PowerNetworkers.
“Effective networking doesn’t have to be time consuming or difficult says Cleveland native and resident George C. Fraser, Chairman and CEO of FraserNet Inc. In addition to writing books about networking and success, Fraser also creates opportunities for African Ameri-cans to gather in a professional, educational and inspirational setting.
“If you want to learn networking skills, the art and science of building relationships so you can take your life and your career to the next level the PowerNetworking conference is the only conference in America that focus-es three days on providing you the contacts that you need and teaches you the skills, the art and science of networking,” says Fraser. “If people think networking is important, that’s where they should be to learn how to do it.” The annual PowerNetworking Con-ference was held this year in Atlanta.
The 2012 PowerNetworking Conference will be held in Dallas, Texas. For more informa-tion visit the Powernetworking website atwww.frasernet.com. Meet and greet George Fraser at the 2011 Champions of Diversity Luncheon, hosted by the Columbus NAACP. Check our advertisement on page 6 of this edition of Urban Trendsetters.
Highlights From... The PowerNetworking Conference
September 2011 | More than a Magazine, It’s a lifestyle www . urbantrendsetters . comPage [ � }
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Networking is one of the most crucial skills any start-up entrepreneur must have. It is an effective and inexpensive way to grow your business by meeting the key people who could become your clients, suppliers and support systems.In fact, networking is the best marketing device of even the most cash-strapped home-based entrepreneur. It is based on an inexpensive endeav-or using a simple skill: talking. As a result, networking is also referred to as “word-of-mouth marketing” because it is based on talking to people about what you do and listening to find out how to serve them. The best networkers do not even know that they are networking - they are simply being good conversationalists; adept at becoming visible; talking andresponding, and getting to know people.However, many people are put-off with the idea of networking. Some view the practice akin to “politicking” requiring an extremely outgoing personality willing to approach anyone who would care to listen. Many start-up entrepreneurs also have a hard time approaching other people - particularly strangers - about their business. It may be the fear of speaking out to a total stranger, or the fear of coming on too strong or aggressive. Others let their insecurities take the better or them, while some people fail to network simply because of laziness. As a result, many formal gath-erings and social situations become lost opportunities to spread the word about their business.Everyone you meet is a potential customer or a valuable contact. Well, maybe not the old lady you met in the library if you are selling shaving cream. But then again, that old lady may have a husband, son or nephew who could use your product. Marketing is simply spreading the word around, and it is a big loss if you continuously pass up opportunities for networking. Schmoozing pays. In fact, the growth of any business is directly correlated to the number of people who knows about it. Doing more of networking allows you to develop more contacts in your field and to exchange information with your prospects. It can help you find out the concerns of your prospects and who is fulfilling them; what’s hap-pening in your industry; and who needs what and who offers what. It is basically an entrepreneur’s tool for relationship building.Successful networking entails harnessing your people skills. But it doesn’t happen overnight, particularly for those who are not natural social but-terflies. It requires careful orchestration and good manners, too.
Here are several steps to help you become an effective networker:1. Prepare a plan. Networking goes beyond greeting people. You need
to prepare a step-by-step plan for how you’ll build relationships and how you can effectively tell your story. It entails getting to know people who will either do business with you or can introduce you to people who will. When people ask you what you do, make sure you have a clever opening line to introduce yourself and your business.
2. Use social networking sites. LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com , Facebook http://www.facebook.com and even the microblogging site Twitter http://www.twitter.com are excellent venues for virtual network-ing. Whether you are looking for potential partners, web site or blog contributors, or strategic partnership opportunities, these social network-ing sites allow you to expand and nurture your network in the comfort of your computer screen. LinkedIn, in particular, is most suited for profes-sional networking as you can easily see the work and business back-ground of the person.
3. Learn to communicate more easily. To be a good networker, you need to work on your ability to make small talk. You need to be able to articulate what you do in clear, easily understandable, and memorable way. Imagine yourself in a cocktail party or industry luncheon full of po-tential prospects. Set a goal of meeting at least two people in one event, slowly increasing the number as you become more comfortable with the art of schmoozing. Once you are at an event, do not stand around with appetizers in hand waiting for other people to approach you. Go out, head straight to people you do not know, and start a conversation. You will defeat the purpose of networking if you continuously stick with familiar faces. Get interested in what others are offering or saying without being abrasive. Good networkers are good listeners, too.
4. Identify your prospects. Know your most likely market, and learn where you will find them. Research as much as you can from the ideal prospects for your business. How do they get their information? Do they live nearby? What activities do they participate in? What organizations do they belong to? The more you know about your customers, the easier you can reach them.
5. Start with people you know. Look at your roster of friends, col-leagues, acquaintances, and people you have come across in your life-time. From among your friends, identify whom you think might be able to help you the most.6. Get involved. A key to successful networking is to get involved. Par-
ticipate in organizations, events, professional groups and social clubs that offer opportunities for you to meet and greet. Participate in numerous net-
National News
working groups, join your chamber of commerce, and attend confer-ences and training seminars. With the advent of the Internet, you can also network in online newsgroups and discussion boards. The key is to list every opportunity to network and develop win-win relationships with your contacts.7. Make networking a part of you. Make it a point to meet new people
wherever you go - whether you are on the plane, waiting in line at the bank, or fetching your child from school. Be generous in giving away your business cardsAn established business has the luxury of satisfied customers spread-ing the word about the business. Until your business is self-sustaining, you need to start opening your mouth, spreading the word about your venture to all your friends, relatives, acquaintances, then later on, even strangers.A Look Back……………The Obama Campaign’s Networking: President Obama in the 2008 election gave us the best example of great networking since the Under-ground Railroad. So what did the Obama Campaign do in this area?:
1. Focused on collecting e-mail and/or contact details at every touch point
2. Stored the data they collected in databases for easy segmenting and targeting
3. Has a graduated scale of actions supporters could take from do-nating to organizing
4. Put the data and the tools to use it in the hands of the volunteer supporters (as well as staff) so they could use it locally to identify and recruit supporters and mobilise them on election day
5. Asked for a small donation on every occasion - and had incentives to donate like matched donations for new donors and a message from an existing donor so it was a social experience
6. Used the Internet in timely ways to recruit, engage, mobilise, record data and deliver the tools to use the data. Ultimately this was about mobilising people face-to-face not online. The Internet only helped reach out to potential and existing supporters.
So while networking was not the only factor in the success of the Obama campaign (e.g. other factors were a public disenchanted with Republican leadership, the economic downturn, Obama as a great inspirer, McCain’s choice of Palin as VP candidate), it underpinned all of his other activities by bring the people and money resources needed to win the campaign.
The Power of Networking
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{ }Pro athletes Deion Branch and Roger Mason, Jr. help launch special “giveback” campaign
pages. On September 2, from 12 p.m.—2 p.m. EDT, Mason, Jr. and Branch will tweet live utilizing the hashtag #protegemvp, to discuss the Pledge and ways to give back.
“Growing up, I’m thankful to have been surrounded
by great male role models,” said Roger
Mason, Jr. “I’m proud to be a part of the Pro-tege Movement, to help guide the next generation.”
In addition to the Pledge, Kmart will
donate $1 for each eligible pair of Protege
shoes purchased through December 31, 2011 split
equally between the Amateur Athletic Union of America (AAU)
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Protege®, the affordable footwear and ap-parel collection available exclu-sively at Kmart® and Kmart.com, takes its “giveback” philosophy one step further with the Protege Movement, a social campaign featuring a public service pledge championed by Roger Mason, Jr. (New York Knicks) and Deion Branch (New Eng-land Patriots).
Declaring September “Protege Month,” the campaign’s Protege Pledge aims to rally young men to give back to their communities and can be digitally signed on the Protege Facebook Page. The campaign will live online through a website displaying the Pledge, along with videos and links to the brand’s Facebook and Twitter Visit your local Ohio Benefit Bank site.
Find a location near you by searching www.obb.ohio.gov.
AND KEEP YOUR WHOLE REFUNDFILE YOUR TAXES FOR FREE
Free tax filing programs are offered to anyone whose household income is less than $57,000 through the Ohio Benefit Bank. And, you can receive your refund in as few as 7-10 days with no fees or other charges.
To file your taxes for free, call 1-800-648-1176or visit www.OhioFilesFree.com.
(cont. page 19)
Outreach Trends
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At this point, rappers going in and coming out of prison or jail is such a commonplace occurrence that it hardly qualifies as a note-worthy headline. Fans of hip-hop have learned to take these things in stride.
On his 2008 hit “My Life Your En-tertainment,” Atlanta born rapper T.I. made a nod to this relation-ship between artists and fans with the lyrics: “Showered with sup-port from my adoring fans/They hear T.I.’s arrested they’re like here we go again.”
T.I. is a repeat offender. Le-gal troubled has plagued him throughout his career. Yesterday, he was released from prison for the second time in as many years after serving 10 of 11 months for violation of his probation, stemming from an arrest on drug charges in Los Angeles in Septem-ber of last year. He will serve the rest of his time at a halfway house in Georgia.
Unlike many who are released from prison with little in the way of job skills or prospects, T.I. is set to get right to work with a book deal and a reality TV show on VH1. His financial outlook isn’t the same as the height of his popularity, but it doesn’t look to be bleak either. What remains to be seen is if his talent has re-mained intact. Rappers who have served time haven’t faired so well in this arena.
Prison isn’t an artist colony. It’s not a place that nurtures the cre-ativity and passion of individuals and helps them realize their com-
plete selves. It’s a series of cages that demoralize and depress. Souls are broken in prison. DMX, Beanie Sigel, Mystikal, Shyne, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Black Rob, Capone (of Capone-n-Noreaga), Slick Rick and others have found it difficult to regain the type of creative inspiration needed to re-cord at the standards they set for themselves before landing them-selves in the penitentiary. As with anything, however, the odds can be overcome.
After serving 11 months of his of his one-and-a-half year to four-and-a-half year sentence for sexu-al abuse, the late Tupac Shakur hit the studio and produced arguably the best double album in hip-hop history, 1996’s All Eyez On Me.
In 1999, Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah served time for an attempted robbery charge dating back to 1995. Upon his release, he put out perhaps his best solo album, 2000’s Supreme Clientele.
Before his death in 2007, Pimp C of the Houston rap duo UGK made a huge comeback after his after being locked up for three years in the form of UGK’s fifth studio album Undeground Kingz. It’s possible to go to prison, come out and continue creating art at a high level, as these instances proved. But they are rare excep-tions. Typically, rappers tend to lose a step or two after an extend-ed stay behind iron bars. When Lil’ Wayne was released from prison in November 2010, after serving eight months of a one-year sentence stemming from
a gun possession charge in 2007, he was able to create consider-able buzz a month later with the single “6 Foot 7 Foot.” He sounded like the version of him-self that ruled the airwaves from 2006-2008. But the excitement wasn’t sustained, as the much anticipated Tha Carter IV album was pushed back and delayed for months.
To appease his rabid fanbase, he put out the mixtape Sorry 4 the Wait, but it was ill-received. Tha Carter IV finally saw the light of day on August 29 (though it leaked nearly a week early) and thought it is projected to move
over 700,000 units in its first week, the reviews have been less than favorable.
The greatest highlights from this album come from the guests (Tech N9ne, Andre 3000, and Nas steal the show in their brief appear-ances) and Wayne sounds the least focused that he has in the entirety of his career. He’s not known for executing well thought out concept records, but rather for being able to deliver a flurry of witty and provocative punchlines. Here, after prison, all of the sizzle is gone.
T.I. had a similar trajectory last year when he was got out of prison after serving 10 months of a one year and one day sentence on federal weapons charges. His comeback single simply titled
“I’m Back” was well-received, though his F*** A Mixtape mix-tape came and went without much fanfare. He was gearing up for the release of his seventh studio album, then being called King Uncaged, when the drug charges were brought up and a new prison stint was in his future.
Before reporting to prison, T.I. finished up the album, now titled No Mercy, generally agreed to be his worst work. Where he showed continual growth from the dope boy anthems of his first album I’m Serious to the introspective and revelatory Paper Trail, No Mercy found the 30 year-old emcee stagnant and resting on his lau-rels. Whether it was the previous round behind bars or the pros-pects of the next one, something was blocking him from delivering the type of quality work he fought so hard to become known for.
Now, T.I. is in the unique position of getting a second chance at pro-ducing a huge post-prison come-back. It’s going to be difficult, as hip-hop fans are not known for being the most loyal. Hot rappers have a high turnover rate, and although T.I. has a decade long career to stand on, the next big thing is always waiting to usurp those who have been away from the game too long.
The reality show may help to keep him in the spotlight, but it’ll take music that reminds folks of why the fell in love with his southern drawl and bold proclamations to ensure he has recording career that extends past his legal trou-bles. As a fan, I hope for the best.
Why prison is hit-or-miss for hip-hop starsBy Mychal Denzel Smith
“Prison isn’t an artist colony.”
Trendsetters Speak
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The ladies in their fancy, wide-brimmed hats and the men in their shiny shoes have taken their seats in the red-carpeted chapel of Calvary Baptist Church.
The ushers motion with white-gloved hands and a momentary hush falls over the largely African American congregation. In comes the choir, hands clapping, silky blue robes swishing, praising God. Men, women, children come alive, swaying back and forth to the music, interjecting “amens,” throwing their hands up in the air.
“How great is our God,” they sing together, no longer individual people but one mass moving together. “How great is our God.”
Aside from the gaiety, at first glance, Calvary Baptist appears to be a church like any other -- a place where people of faith gather to read scriptures and worship their God. But in many ways the nondescript brick building on State Street in Salt Lake City, along with 30 or so other black churches scattered along the Wasatch front, is a social and cultural center for Utah’s African American population.
African Americans, of all the major racial and ethnic groups in the United States, are the most likely to report a formal religious affiliation, according to The Pew Center for Religious and Public Studies. They pray more frequently and attend church services more often than the general population. Even among those who do not claim affiliation with a particular church, three out of four say religion is important in their lives. Close to 60 percent of the nation’s African American population chooses to worship in predominately black churches. And yet, the black church is facing turbulent times.
Like many of their peers, the rising generation of African Americans is less interested in religion and find the idea of a predominately black congregation less appealing than their parents did, studies say. The recession has also hit the black community disproportionately hard, shuttering hundreds of churches across the country due to foreclosure. But the greatest challenge may come from a shift in emphasis. As preaching focuses more on individual prosperity than community uplift, some scholars speculate the decades-old power the black church has exercised as the “soul” of the African American community is “dead” -- or on it’s way there.
August marked the 48th anniversary of the day the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before 200,000 civil rights supporters and declared, “I Have a Dream.” Now, with 16 percent of African Americans unemployed and 26 percent living in poverty, King’s dreams of social equality are far from realized. The question is whether the black church will continue to play a role in the progression of the African American community, or if like so many other churches, it will lose grip on its congregations. The answer to that question will say a lot not just about the role religion plays in the African American community, but the future of black community as a whole.
Lifting the peoplePastor France Davis dances up to the polished pulpit to the beat of drums and a clapping, electric congregation. He greets the crowd with twinkling eyes and a broad smile. Today’s sermon: charity. There are hungry children, he tells the crowd. His people respond with a
Is the Power and the Influence of the Black Church Dying in the Black Community and Beyond?By: Elizabeth Stuart/Desecret News
Call 1-866-970-4887
smattering of, “Oh, yeahs” and “amens.” “Break it down,” says one man, eyes closed, rocking back and forth, feeling the spirit.
“People oughta be able to get a piece of bread, some water, some Kool-Aid,” Davis says, eliciting a sprinkling of laughs from the congregation. “Next time you look in your closet and see your cashmere coat, take the other one and give the cashmere away. You have a mink stole? Give it away.” The recession hit Davis’ congregation hard. The African American unemployment rate is flirting with 16 percent, recent figures show. Unemployment for Caucasians, in the meantime, is hovering around 8 percent. While white family wealth rose from $22,000 to $100,000 over the past 23 years, black family wealth rose by just $3,000 to $5,000, according to a recent Brandeis University study. “Many of my people are the last to be hired the first to be fired,” Davis said. “A number of them have given up on what society has to offer because it hasn’t worked for them.”
Across the country, church foreclosures have tripled since 2007, according to filings in the Thomson Reuters Westlaw legal database. Rev. Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights activist and Baptist minister, told Reuters he estimated thousands of black churches nationwide battled foreclosure last year. In light of the financial struggles of many black congregations, the fact that Calvary Baptist has not had to shut down any of its social service programs is “remarkable,” said Anthea Butler, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Calvary Baptist saw an increase in numbers as the recession humbled many who had turned away and a slight dip in tithing contributions, Davis said. Money is tighter than usual, but the congregation was still able to scrape up enough to help those in need with housing, food, transportation and education assistance. “We’re encouraging people to be at their best no matter their circumstances,” he said. “Above all, we share a message of hope. People need to continue to dream.”
Scholars trace African Americans’ strong faith back to the days of slavery, when church was the only place they could gather uninhibited. When slavery was abolished, the black church was the only stable institution to emerge intact. Throughout history, church has been instrumental in lifting the black community, not only through traditional alms, but also by lobbying to knock down racial barriers that prohibited African Americans from succeeding, Butler said.
Church produced black leaders such as King and Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who helped countless others to freedom through the Underground Railroad. The first national black organization, a publisher called the A.M.E. Church, was backed by the black churches. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Urban League were founded with the help and support of black church leaders.
“The Black Church is the single most important institution in the black community,” said Larry Mamiya, a professor of religion and Africana studies at Vassar College. In his book, “The Black Church in the African American Experience,” which compiles 10 years of research at churches such as Calvary Baptist, Mamiya concludes the black church is the “cultural womb” of the black community. “Not only did it give birth to new institutions, such as schools, banks, insurance companies and low income housing, it also provided an academy and an arena for political activities, and it nurtured young talent for musical, dramatic, and artistic development.”
The America Davis grew up in didn’t allow black kids and white kids to share the same classroom. He rode used school buses, learned from used textbooks and got his training from teachers who didn’t graduate from accredited colleges. In 1946, he joined King’s infamous march on the Washington, D.C. Eventually, he got kicked out of his all-black college for marching too much. “I brought all that life experience with me,” Davis said. There are framed black-and-white photos of King posted on the walls of Calvary Baptist alongside photos of the latest youth activity.
When Davis came to Utah (Continued on page 25)
The Journey
Gospel Music Countdown
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If you could, would you want to know whether you will develop diabetes in your lifetime? Would you want to know long before you were even diagnosed?
The founders of 23andMe are working to make this possible, and for free. The small company offers personalized genetic test-ing and, starting this month, will waive their $399 fee for adults of African descent as part of a national project called Roots into the Future.
The project aims to collect 10,000 DNA samples in the hopes of pinpointing the genetic factors of diseases prevalent in the black community. The initia-tive partners with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute at Harvard University.
The initiative kicked off at the Na-tional Urban League Conference in Boston, where 23andMe tested 2,500 conference attendees.
In 2006, genetic testing gained
Free genetic testing: A blueprint for saving black lives?By Tricia McCarter © Rob Byron - Fotolia.com
popularity when Gates began the series African American Lives on PBS, which traced the genetics of notable African-Americans like Maya Angelou, Tina Turner and Morgan Freeman. However, that was based solely on uncovering ancestry.
Roots into the Future instead wants to fuse genetics and medi-cine to give people a glimpse into the future and, as a result, the power to make informed deci-sions about their health. And, to bring this power to the black community.
A recent study in the journal Nature confirms what geneticists have said for years: that that eth-nic minorities are not adequately represented in research.
By making genetic testing free, the California biotech company links these advances to African-Americans who typically would not have the economic means to participate.
Family Trends
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-- Romeo Miller combines fashion and higher education to set trends in the clothing business with his College Boyys and College Girlls clothing collections. --Nationwide (August 31, 2011) -- The first annual College Boyys Back to School “I AM THE NEXT...” Campaign inspires kids at an early age to dream big by making college a reality for underprivileged kids across the country. “With college counsel-ors present, it’s actually a job fair for little kids!!” comments Kate Jordan of Hollywood T Magazine. “With a big star like Romeo taking the time with the kids, a blueprint will definitely stick, and Romeo is a walking role model!”
College League Apparel is also launching a girls clothing line, College Girlls, along side the “I AM THE NEXT...” Campaign as
a cross-promotion. Romeo and College League Apparel donated school supplies to help prepare inner-city kids for back-to-school in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Mississippi, and Memphis, which the program is expect-ing to reach even more communities next year. “With the success and performance at retail of the College Boyys cloth-ing brand, it’s a no-brainer to introduce College Girlls into the mix, making it a lifestyle brand with shoes, accessories and fragrances to come. It was a successful event, the kids were
definitely inspired. They wore their individual t-shirts that read Who Am I... I’m the next doctor, teacher, lawyer etc. Going to col-lege and getting a higher educa-tion really makes a difference,”
Romeo Miller stated.Miller was one of the top celebs on Dancing With The Stars, he had a #1 television show Romeo! on Nickelodeon for four consecutive years. He has sold over 10 million records. He and his sister, Cymphonique, are taking over the entertainment industry but they are dedicated to their education. Romeo is not only a Hollywood superstar enter-tainer but he’s also majoring
in Business and Film at the Uni-versity of Southern California. As a Freshman, he and his basketball team made USC history by win-ning their first PAC 10 Champi-
Romeo Miller and College Boyys Clothing Combines Fashion and Education To Prepare The Next Generation With “I Am The Next...” Campaign
onship. Romeo understands the importance of education; there-fore he remains a student at USC while he pursues his entertain-ment career and business.
College League Apparel, formerly Ivy League Apparel distributes the brands to select retailers across the country. College League Ap-parel VP of marketing, Kenisha Cross adds “Our brands empower kids to be themselves with tools like education and knowledge. And with the preppy fashion movement, we represent the next generation of fashion!” The line is described as ‘More than just a clothing brand...’ it stands for something and is making a differ-ence. It’s high fashion at afford-able prices with a positive mes-sage. As fashion continues to be more diverse and multi-cultural, the retail trade is buzzing with these exciting new brands.
For more information, go to www.CollegeLeagueApparel.com
Young & Trendy
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DALLAS, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNews-wire/ -- The Tom Joyner Virtual Col-lege Fair and MetroPCS Communica-tions, Inc. this year are offering both online and live resources to connect college-bound students and their parents with schools and universities across the country.
The website, www.TomJoynerCol-legeFair.com, is the brainchild of nationally syndicated radio host and philanthropist, Tom Joyner. The site encourages all potential higher-edu-cation students to pursue a degree
and contains important information from more than 84 participating schools. Listeners of the Tom Joyner Morning Show can access the site through BlackAmericaWeb.com.
“College shouldn’t be an option,” said Joyner. “It’s a necessity in today’s world and the virtual college fair makes the first step more accessible than ever to the audience that’s most important to me.”
Tom Joyner Virtual College Fair offers students and parents critical informa-tion about the admission process, financial aid, housing and student life from the country’s leading His-torically Black Colleges and Uni-versities (HBCUs) through a highly interactive website. Participating HBCUs include Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, North Carolina A&T, Lane College and Prairie View A&M, as well as traditional colleges who have placed an emphasis on wanting minority students to succeed in their higher education pursuits like West Point Academy, University of South Florida and the University of Iowa.
As a presenting sponsor, MetroPCS is helping to fuel the success of the website that last year had more than 200,000 online visitors and more than 80 participating schools
“We’re excited to partner with Tom Joyner Virtual College Fair and pro-vide access to vitally important col-lege information that will affect lives and shape futures for years to come,” said Tom Keys, president and COO of MetroPCS. “Offering informa-
tion about choosing the right school and being equipped with the right tools to succeed is just one way that we’re delivering education for all of our customers and others within the communities in which we serve.”
Tom Joyner Virtual College Fair and MetroPCS will expand the reach of the online site to in-person events in cities across the country including Atlanta, Dallas, Jacksonville, Miami,
Tom Joyner Virtual College Fair Launches with MetroPCS as New Strategic Partner....
(Continued on next page )
Education Trends
New York, Orlando, Philadelphia and Southern Michigan. For more information regarding the Tom Joyner Virtual College Fair, please visit: BlackAmericaWeb.com or TomJoynerCollegeFair.com.
The Tom Joyner Morning Show is the nation’s #1 syndicated urban morning show in the country, airing in more than 105 markets and reaching nearly 8 million listeners. It has distinguished itself over the years as continuously giving back to its audience with quality programming, highly popu-lar promotions, special events and philanthropy. Since 2004, Joyner has awarded millions in cash and
Tom Joyner Virtual College Fair and MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (cont. from pg. 16)
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prizes to contest winners and his Foundation has raised more than $60 million to help keep students in historically black colleges and universities. The Morning Show with co-hosts Sybil Wilkes, J. Anthony Brown and senior news analyst Roland Martin, also features “Inside Her Story” with Jacque Reid; political commentary from Stephanie Robin-son and Jeff Johnson; and celebrity news with Kevin Frazier, as well as comedic observations from D.L. Hughley, Dominique and the Celebrity Snitch Huggy Lowdown. Joyner’s website, BlackAmericaWeb.com, has more than 1.5 million reg-istered users and delivers news with exclusive reports from award win-ning journalists and unprecedented political coverage as well as interac-tive elements with on demand audio.
SOURCE:MetroPCS Communications, Inc
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In my years as a Financial Planner, I have fielded many questions. One of the most frequent questions I have been asked is, “What is the best area to invest in this market?” Many state that the equity market is poised for a strong rally in the long run. Oth-ers state that the bond market is very attractive. What about the real estate market? Shouldn’t it be due for a recovery soon?
I have heard all the arguments from the above asset classes and depend-ing upon who you talk everyone seems to have an opinion about the best place to invest.
There is another area of investment which is not talked about as fre-quently. This area of investment has TREMENDOUS potential and almost unlimited upside. Doubling, and tripling your investment in this area would be an enormous understate-ment. “What is it?” you ask.
I will give you a clue…you wake up everyday and go to sleep in it. You eat in it, you take your children to school in it, you attend block par-ties in it, and many of your family and friends may also live in it. If you haven’t guessed by now, I am referring to the community. That’s right…an investment in your com-munity is the greatest investment you can make. By investing in the com-munity, what are the returns for me, you ask? How does one invest in a community? There are many ways you can invest in your community. Let me explain.
Community Businesses
In your community, there are many businesses. These businesses, if upheld, will bring respectable traffic to your community. Restaurants, bakeries, schools, libraries, and more are all a reflection of the upkeep and character of the community. Outsiders often get a sense of the community by the quality of service, experience and ambiance within the local community restaurants and other institutions. The upkeep of the schools and libraries are all factors
looked upon by drive-through visi-tors. Frequent investment is crucial to property value, and quality of living. Time and money that flows through these community institutions will always be reflected in the property values and ultimately the quality of life for the community’s residents. So take time to eat in your com-munity restaurants, donate books to your local libraries and schools, and frequent the stores and shops in your community.
Entrepreneurship
How large of a return did Bill Gates, Russell Simmons, or Oprah Winfrey get on their original dollars of invest-ment? The number is far too large for any ordinary calculator to hold. Suc-cessful entrepreneurship has always been guaranteed to be one of the largest returns on your investment. So I challenge you to open your own business in your own community. Seek support from the community and they will often respond positive-ly to your business endeavor.
Education is a key component of en-trepreneurship. Oftentimes an indi-vidual has not discovered his or her passion; they have not received the education that provides them with the knowledge and exposure to iden-tify areas that will be most beneficial for them. Investing in education is a key component to entrepreneurship in your community. Flourish your mind, and your business will also flourish.
Youth
Investing in the youth of our commu-nities will not only yield enormous returns but returns that are often the most immediate and most fulfill-ing. The youth of our communities are crying out for our assistance and support. The parents and the teach-ers need our assistance. Seeing the smile on a youngster’s face – a smile that you helped to create – is one of the most personally rewarding experiences one can have. I per-sonally spend a great deal of time with the youth in my community,
and will always continue to do so because I continue to see so many positive results. How many young Bob Johnsons, Warren Buffets, or Bill Clintons will never reach their poten-tial because we didn’t take the time to invest in him or her? I urge all to take some time to volunteer at the local school in your community and talk to the children. Career days, tu-tor programs, after school programs, and more are all opportunities to stop by and spend some time with the children of your neighborhoods. They are our future, and investment in their lives is also an investment in yours.
The bible says, “Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.” (Numbers 36:9) What this means to me is that money made in the com-munity should primarily be spent for the benefit of the community. So I urge you to think about how you are contributing to your own communi-ties. If you are not active, then how can you get active? Many people look to the politicians to create change, and often fail to realize that they can create positive change and movement right in their own com-munities. How much time are you putting into the care and upkeep of your community? Do you throw cigarette butts, chicken bones, and other trash on the streets, yards, or subway tracks? Participate in your community, donate to your commu-nity (time and money), and most of all RESPECT your community. It will go a long way for you, me, and the American society as a whole.
Written By: Ryan Mack, President of Optimum Capital Management, LLC
Financial Planner: The Greatest Investment Is In Your CommunityWritten by Ryan Mack
Pro athletes Deion Branch and Roger Mason, Jr. help launch special “giveback”
campaign (cont. from pg 9)
Clubs of America, with a mini-mum donation of $100,000 to each charity. Protege is also a sponsor of the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend, engaging over 100 African-American men each weekend.
“Since the launch of the Protege brand, our team has been com-mitted to giving back to the communities we serve,” said Nick Grayston, president of Kmart’s footwear division. “And now through the Protege Movement, we have a great opportunity to help encourage young people to make a difference, and continue to support the message of giving back.”
Join the Protege movement and sign the Protege Pledge by visiting www.protegemvp.com or www.facebook.com/protegemvp.
SOURCE Kmart
Handle Your Business
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CHICAGO, Aug. 22, 2011 PRNewswire-- EBONY, the iconic Black American brand dedicated to celebrating and enriching the lives of Black community for over 65 years, has unveiled its first-ever Beauty and Grooming Awards in its annual September “Celebrity Style” issue.
Never before has one list revealed the top performing makeup, hair and skin products specifically for Black American women – and men. “We found a void in the marketplace where Black women and men can turn to find trusted, recommended products that are the ‘go to’ products for both celebrity beauty professionals, beauty-obsessed consumers and our own staff. Unlike other beauty award lists, we went beyond our circle of friends and family, and engaged some of the most authoritative names in Black American beauty across the country,” said Ms. Amy DuBois Barnett, EBONY Editor-In-Chief.
Each EBONY Beauty and Grooming Award Winner was first handpicked by a prestigious panel of A-List beauty experts, including makeup artists, hair stylists, manicurists, and dermatologists, who have worked with celebrities including Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and P. Diddy. Then, top black beauty bloggers nationwide personally tested each product. Ten of the blogger’s real time product testing results can be viewed on EBONY.com. EBONY Beauty & Style editors finalized the top picks to determine this year’s 50+ winners
across six categories - skincare, anti-aging, makeup/color cosmetics, hair, essentials, and men’s grooming.
“We’re very proud to stand behind each winner with our EBONY Beauty and Grooming Award ‘seal of approval’ and look forward to growing our new editorial franchise with platforms across print, digital, social media, retail and mobile applications,” said Ms. Barnett. “Over 11 million Black Americans look to EBONY for the latest information that makes their lives better and easier, and this Awards platform is just one way we strive to provide them with practical, everyday advice when and how they want it.”
For a full list of winners log on to EBONY.com.
EBONY is a property of Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) LLC, the leading, independently-owned Black American media publisher with headquarters in Chicago and offices in New York and London. JPC is committed to celebrating the vibrancy of Black culture by operating trusted brands and delivering products of the highest quality that celebrate, inform, engage, entertain, inspire, and enhance the lives of people of all ages.
Press Contact: Alex Rosenfield [email protected]
EBONY Unveils Its First-Ever Beauty and Grooming Awards Celeb Expert Selected. Beauty Blogger Tested. Editor Approved.
Arts & Culture
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(NAPS)—Deliverables: Every business has them, especially in small agencies, where several assignments are juggled at once and multiple projects are due to clients daily. Most are managed online or over e-mail. Take a creative professional at a design shop, for example, who is reconstructing a client’s entire website. Prototypes and mock-ups are drafted and numerous versions are exchanged constantly until the final is complete and the website goes live. Take the tax accountant during tax season, who sends many sensitive documents back and forth to clients for signatures, clarification on details and background. Bottom line: Everyone has important information that get sent often.
For example, global communications firm Big Sky Communications often manages multiple projects at one time and relies on rapid content sharing to meet changing client requests. “The content we create is integral to our clients’ marketing and sales programs, so it’s vital that every last detail is perfect and final materials are delivered on
Meeting And Exceeding Client Demands In A Digital World
time,” says Colleen Padnos of Big Sky Communications. With the massive amount of e-mails and attachments being sent around the Internet these days, however, businesses are vulnerable to the technical difficulties that come with “information overload,” which could prevent their hard work from being delivered on time.
In fact, recent research by Plantronics shows that the use of e-mail by professionals has increased 78 percent over the past five years, nearly 83 percent use e-mail as a primary communication tool for business—and nearly 57 percent say they’re overwhelmed by the volume. It seems pretty clear that the variety and rate at which people share and send information is not slowing down and that the
volume and variety of content in businesses continue to explode as organizations create documents, e-mails, Web content, rich media assets and corporate records.
Fortunately, there may be a way for businesses to send digital content easily while collaborating better internally, meet the high demands of clients and not get bogged down by the amount of information. The creator of Acrobat and Reader offers a new way to securely transfer files from one place to another without clogging in-boxes or sending extraneous messages back and forth to check on the status of a sent file. With the latest upgrades to its file transfer service, Adobe SendNow, users can send, view and securely access a variety of file types from anywhere. As Padnos says, “With Adobe SendNow, we have an easy, reliable way to manage, share and collaborate on large files with clients everywhere.”
These days, transferring documents is just the start. This is an age of sharing—no matter what device (mobile, tablet, desktop or laptop computer) or format (photos, video or audio) you’re
using, your client, boss, even your mother expects it can get done and get done quickly. SendNow offers these capabilities and more. “We constantly develop a variety of video and multimedia content for our clients—anything from three-minute customer videos to interactive presentations and in-depth customer success stories,” says Padnos. “We use Adobe SendNow to reliably share large files, having confidence that our clients always have easy access to project content when and where they need it. We can quickly and cost effectively deliver up-to-date content to project teams for review and accelerate finalizing content to meet our clients’ tight deadlines.”
Deliverables in the Digital Age should be nothing short of simple. With the right technology in place, small businesses, professionals and everyday users have the ability to transfer information in less time and avoid the challenges that come with sending large files—all with little or no cost. Companies of any size can now easily and securely transfer files from one place to another without clogging in-boxes.
Tech Trends
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(NAPS)—From floods and wildfires to tornadoes and hurricanes, natural disasters can leave a path of devastation. Although you can’t prevent natural disasters, you can minimize losses with proper pre-paration and tax relief.
Natural disaster preparation involves much more than a survival kit with first aid, food and water. “Individuals and businesses need to remember to protect their financial data and documents,” says Jessi Dolmage, spokesperson for TaxACT. “Taking time to document and save information now saves time, money and stress if a natural disaster occurs.”
Take a room-by-room inventory of your personal and business belongings, especially property of greater value. Document, photograph or video record belongings for proof of value for insurance, tax and casualty loss purposes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers workbooks to help individuals and businesses with inventory. Publication 584 is available at www.irs.gov.
Save electronic copies of inventory and other documents on an external drive, CD or secure web- site. Documents should include home closing statements, homeowner and other insurance records, tax returns and W-2s. Keep copies in multiple locations in case your home, business or nearby sites are destroyed.
The IRS often grants individuals and businesses in federally declared disaster areas extended tax return filing and payment deadlines, as well as lesser or waived penalties. Deadlines for contributing to individual retirement accounts can also be extended, and the IRS usually waives the $57 fee for copies of previous year tax returns.
Individuals and businesses in affected areas typically don’t have to contact the IRS to receive tax relief, as the agency automatically identifies you. However, if you have property in the designated area but reside or have a business outside of the designated area, call the IRS disaster hotline to request relief. If you move, remember to notify the IRS of your new address.
Casualty losses related to your home or business, household items and vehicles not covered by insurance or other reimbursements may be deductible on your federal tax return. To determine the deductible
Natural Disasters: Preparing For Them And Their Impact On Your Taxes
amount for each item, the IRS requires you first subtract any insurance reimbursement from the value of the item and then $100. The total of all losses is then reduced by 10 percent of your adjusted gross income. Keep in mind, casualty does not include normal wear and tear or progressive deterioration.
Depending on when the federally declared disaster happens, you may have the option of claiming related losses on the previous or current year’s return. Dolmage explains, “Casualty losses for federally declared disasters can be claimed as a miscellaneous deduction. So, if you claimed the standard deduction last year and your casualty loss plus other itemized deductions total more than the standard deduction, you may benefit more from amending last year’s return.”
Amending last year’s return can mean faster cash for repairs, rebuilding and replacing personal property. However, depending on your income the year of the disaster, you may increase your tax savings by waiting to claim losses on the current year return.
Regardless of which return you claim losses on, keep detailed documentation and receipts. More disaster preparation tips and resources can be found at www.irs.gov.
Tax preparation solutions like TaxACT provide step-by-step guidance for amending last year’s return and claiming losses on your current year return. Learn more about TaxACT at www.taxact.com.
Casualty losses related to your home or business, household items and vehicles not covered by insurance or other reimbursements may be deductible on your federal tax return.
Home & Style Trends
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(NAPS)—There are many good reasons breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day. Most significantly, breakfast gives you energy. When you wake up in the morning, your body has been fasting, or going without food, during the hours you were asleep. Eating breakfast means you “break the fast” and give your body (and brain) the energy needed to function—very important for school-aged children.
Studies have shown that children’s learning is stimulated and they perform better academically when they are “fueled for school.” Eating breakfast also helps to develop better eating patterns—you and your family will feel more satisfied and be less likely to overeat or eat too much junk food later in the day. Breakfast provides a great opportunity to get all the daily vitamins and minerals needed by eating nutritious foods such as whole grains, fruits and dairy products.
So how can you conveniently make sure your morning routine is healthful? The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association recommends stocking your freezer and refrigerator with convenient, tasty, healthful options from the cool aisles of your local grocery store. There are many quick, tasty, nutritious options that will please both parents and kids.
Morning Fuel For School—“Break The Fast”Yogurt parfaits can be a great way to enjoy a good breakfast.
You can have these delicious breakfasts ready in minutes:
• Fill toasted whole grain waffles with peanut butter and jam for a unique breakfast sandwich; serve with orange juice.
• Mix yogurt, frozen strawberries, skim milk and bananas in a blender for a tasty smoothie.
• Heat frozen pancakes and top with fruits and with syrup or honey.
• Make breakfast sandwiches with bagels, cheese, egg substitute and precooked sausage.
For a special morning treat, create this delicious yogurt parfait to make everyone in your family smile.
Breakfast Yogurt Parfait
11⁄2 cups vanilla low-fat yogurt 1⁄2 cup low-fat granola 1 cup berries (strawberries,
blueberries, blackberries), frozen or fresh
Layer in parfait glasses or bowls: granola, yogurt and fruit. Repeat layers. Serves two.
For more tasty recipes and information on frozen and refrigerated foods, visit www.Easy HomeMeals.com, and on Facebook, “like” www.facebook.com/ EasyHomeMeals.
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Whenreflectingonsomeofyourmostmemorablemoments,chancesarethatmanyofthosemomentsinvolvedfamily.Whetherit’smomsanddads,brothersandsisters,grandparents,kids,orcousinsthatstirmemoriesforyou,it’salmostcertainthatgoodtimesandtogethernessarecommonthemes.Familyreunionsareoneofthemostpopularformsofgoodtimesandtogethernessforblackfamilies,butwe’vecomealongwayfromhavingthematBigMomma’shouseortherecreationcenter.Wherearewehavingthemnow? Nowmorethanever,blackfamiliesareselectingcruisesasthesettingofchoicefortheirfamilyreunions,andforgoodreason.Cruiseshipshaveallthenecessaryelementsofagoodblackfamilyreunion,includingaccommodations,food,music,games,entertainment,andgreatweather.Cruisesofferallthesamecomfortsofatypicalgettogether,plusopenoceanandsomeofthemostbeautifulislandsandbeachesintheworld. Familyreunionscanovercomeyearsofabsencebetweenfamilymemberswithaninstantbonding.Maybeit’sbeenfiveyearssinceyoulast
sawUncleCurtis,butassoonasyouseehim,thetwoofyoupickuprightwhereyouleftoff.Hugs,smiles,andlaughterquicklyfilltheroom.Cruisessomehowamplifythisinstantbondingbywayofintangiblespecialpowers.There’sjustsomethingintheairthatputscruisepassengersinanextremelyjoyfulmood.Thispermeatingvibecontributeswelltotheatmosphereofblackfamilyreunioncruises. Ifyoustillthinkcruisesareexpensive,thinkagain.Inmanycases,afourdaycruisecanbepurchasedforaboutthecostofanaverageairlineticket.Onmostcruises,thepricewillincludeaccommodation,entertainment&activities,andanunlimitedsupplyofgreatfood.Theall-inclusivenatureofcruisesmakesthemperfectforfamilyreunions.Thisoptionoftenmakesmoresensethangettingthefamilytogetherinahotelwiththeadditionalexpenseofmeals.Duringtherecentrecession,cruisesbecameagreatoverallvalueforfamilies,hencetheincreaseinthepopularityofcruisesoverthelastfewyears. Ifyou’reconsideringacruiseforyournextfamilyreunion,thesehelpfultipswillsimplifyyourplanning:
*Considertheaudienceofyourreunionandpickatimethat’sconvenientforeveryone.Ifschoolkidsareincluded,selectasummersailingwhentheyareoutofschool.*Trytosecuregroupratesorperksforthemembersofyourgroup.Thesemightincludediscounts,orthingslikeon-boardcreditsredeemableatthegiftshops,bars,andspaonthecruiseship.*Bookyourfamilyreunioncruise9to12monthsinadvance.Notonlydoesadvancedbookinggetyoubetterpricing,italsoallowsallthemembersofyourfamilytomakeseveralsmallpaymentsovertimeinsteadofpayingallatonce.*Takestuff!Cruiseshipsarefilledwithactivitieslikeswimmingpools,theaters,casinos,stageshows,livemusic,anddanceclubs.Thatdoesn’tmeanyoucan’ttakethingsthathavebeenapartofyourfamilybondingovertheyears.Makeroominyourluggageforcards,dominoes,oranythingelseyourfamilyenjoys.Whilethere’salottodoonacruise,thewholepointisforfamilymemberstospendtimetogether.*Don’tbookonline-useatravelagent,preferablyonewhospecializesincruises,like
www.BlackCruiseClub.com.Agoodagentwillaskalotofquestionstounderstandyourneedsandpresentonlytheoptionsthatworkbestforyourfamily.Youragentwillknowhowtogetthebestdealsandhaveawealthofknowledgetomakeyourblackfamilyreunioncruiseasuccess.Theywillalsoworkwithyoutoorganizedeposits,paymentplans,announcements,andspecialarrangements.Ifyouwantafamilyreunion,butdreadallthehardwork,youcanrelaxknowingyourcruiseagentwillhandleallthedetails.Cruiselineshosthundredsofblackfamilyreunionseachyear,andthetrendisincreasing.TheCaribbeanandTheBahamasstilldominateasthetopdestinations,butotheroptionsincludeEuropeandMexico.Whetheryoupulledtheshortstraworvolunteeredtoplanthenextfamilyreunion,imagineyourfamilytogetheronacruise.Cruisesoffersomethingforall,fromthekidstothegrandparents,andeveryoneinbetween.Withtheeconomykeepingcruisepricesaffordable,there’snobettertimetogetyourfamilyonacruise.
Cruise Ships - A Popular Trend For Black Family Reunions By Aubrey Williams
UTS Travel
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Is the Power and the Influence of the Black Church Dying
in the Black Community and Beyond? (Cont. from pg 13)
he said Utah was “about 10 years behind” the rest of the country in terms of civil rights. As the head of Calvary Baptist, he went to battle against discrimination. He rallied his congregation to fight for the Fair Housing Act and convinced the state to recognize Martin Luther King Day as a holiday. “When we talk in terms of equality, there’s still work to be done,” he said. “The big thing that’s left to be done is changing attitudes and applications of those laws. In the education system, minorities are still underserved. There is disparate treatment in our health care system. We don’t have enough minorities involved in business and government.”
Inspiring youthWalking into Calvary Baptist is like walking into Grandma’s kitchen. Warm. Familiar. Loving. At one point in every sermon, Davis instructs the crowd to choose a neighbor, look into their eyes, and declare, “I love you, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” The whole congregation opens up to embrace newcomers, old, weathered hands clasping pudgy baby hands, warm smiles and hugs all around.
When Patricia Otiede moved to Salt Lake City in 1991, a single mother with dreams of going to college, Calvary Baptist welcomed her and as one of their own. Over the next 20 years, she built her life around the church. A willow of a woman with smooth, dark skin and a commanding air, Otiede serves as an usher, teaches Sunday school and sings in the choir. Sundays she sometimes spends more than eight hours at the church.
“If you want to find me, come to Calvary Baptist Church,” said Otiede, who now commutes to the downtown chapel from Taylorsville. “Monday through Saturday and Sunday, too.”
Her devotion to the institution is not an exception to the rule. “Most black church members don’t just go to church on Sunday,” Mamiya said. “They’re involved in other activities during the week. Many of them take part in midweek Bible study, choir rehearsal and other kinds of community outreach programs. It’s not just about spirituality, it’s a social place where members look after one another.” But change may be knocking.
When he was little, Otiede’s little boy was by her side, attending youth activities throughout the week, donning a miniature blue and gold choir robe to sing in he children’s choir at community functions. But now 18 and a man, he’s a once-a-week member. “I used to drag him along,” Otiede said. “He makes his own choices now.”
Across all ethnic groups, the Millennial generation is less interested in religion, according to a 2010 report by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Only 53 percent report being “certain” a god exists, compared to 71 percent of those born before 1928. The trend extends to African American youth, too -- though they remain significantly more religious than the general population. Among those who attend historically black churches, adults ages 18 to 29 read Scriptures and pray less frequently than their elders. Nineteen percent of African Americans under the age of 30 are unaffiliated with any religion, compared to just 7 percent who are over 65. “The black church, like a lot of churches, is struggling with an aging population,” Butler said. “They may not have a younger generation of people to fill the pews.”
Furthermore, studies show African Americans born after the civil rights movement are less likely to attend historically black churches. Interest also wanes as members gain more education, according to The Pew Forum on Religious & Public Life. Fifty-three percent of African Americans with a college degree attend predominantly black churches, compared to 63 percent of those with less than a high school education. “They just don’t see church as being this thing that can really help them,” Butler said.
Davis is fighting the trend with youth clubs ranging from drama to pre-medical. On a recent Sunday, teens with white gloves and painted powder-white faces transformed the chapel into a theater and performed a mime routine for a rowdy crowd of family and friends. The church also sponsors a mentoring program that matches youth with professionals in a field they’ve expressed interest in. When the time comes for college, every active member of the congregation is eligible for a church scholarship. Davis doles out as much money as he can muster, starting at $1,000 each and moving up from there. Calvary has given Otiede’s son, now starting his second year of college, $10,000 so far. For Otiede herself, the church footed the bill for a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s of health care administration. “The pastor always pushes on education,” Otiede said. “It’s not just for yourself, he always says, it’s for the benefit of our community.”
Building communityDespite growing religious disillusionment among the youth, so far, Mamiya believes the black church’s community spirit remains intact. “There are some
changes at the edges of black involvement, but the core remains very strong,” he said. “More educated blacks with more income tend to have more choices, so they don’t always go with a black church, but, on the whole, the core of the black community still tends to stick with its churches.” Scholars aren’t all on the same page, though. Harold Dean Trulear, associate professor of applied theology at Howard University, argues that the social stratification of the African American community is taking a toll on the black church as a social hub.
As African Americans have clawed their way to the upper and middle classes, the population has also spread out, he said. More people are commuting. Church members don’t want to drive extended distances multiple times per week, so they choose after-school and after-work activities closer to home. “For so long, so many things were closed to the black community: political clubs, organized sports, going to the library, after school activities,” he said. “These things the church provided. You couldn’t get them anywhere else. But now the community has choices. Now proximity matters. When everyone is commuting, it makes it difficult to get people together who have competing interests.”
While once, the black church was the place people looked for social help, Trulear said, many are now turning to outside sources. “The black church still holds a powerful role in personal faith and helping people to deal with individual trials, but it’s lost some of its ability to speak to the communal and to bring people together in a real sense of being neighbors,” Trulear said.
African Americans are still more comfortable with churches taking on a political role than the rest of society, Pew reports, but faith in whether churches are best able to help the needy is declining. Just 35 percent of black Protestants said religious groups can do the best job of lifting the community in 2008, compared to 41 percent in 2001. The drop in confidence is accompanied by -- or perhaps, Trulear suspects, caused by -- changes in the messages being given over the pulpit.
Historically, black churches have pushed for improving life as a community. Churches now are beginning to espouse a more “pick-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps” attitude, he said. Rather than addressing the problems from a community standpoint, the focus is on the individual. For example, rather than working with school districts to address the gap in performance between African Americans and their Caucasian classmates, black churches offer individual tutoring programs. “There used to be a sense of ‘Yes, we want to advance, but we want to advance together,’” Trulear said. “The civil rights movement wasn’t about Rosa Parks getting a fair shake on the bus, it was about changing the laws so the whole community benefits.”
As a leader, Davis considers the health of all of Utah’s minorities -- not just African Americans -- his business. While he is constantly pounding his followers to do their personal best, Calvary Baptist is also involved in addressing community concerns on a broader scale. Though the church does invest in tutoring programs for struggling children, the congregation also pitches in to help send the children to private school. Davis, in the meantime, has joined the Utah State Board of Regents, where he hopes to address disparities in the public education system. When the Legislature tried to do away with affirmative action last year, Davis invited the politicians to Calvary Baptist to have a discussion with his congregation. The passion and determination in the room was palpable. “We will continue to try to giving the poor and the voiceless power,” Davis said. “That’s what we believe the Bible teaches us is right.”
Calvary sponsors many programs designed to uplift not only the African American community, but also to help build bridges with the rest of society. The church sponsors subsidized housing for the elderly and disabled. Only a handful of the residents in Calvary Tower, the church’s low-income housing complex, are congregation members. “I trust two people in this world,” said 78-year-old Patsy Moore, who is able to maintain her independence because Calvary rents her an apartment for a mere $275 a month. “That’s my eldest son and Pastor Davis.” Every Sunday morning, members team up with believers from a local predominately-Hispanic church to feed the homeless at Pioneer Park.
As volunteers dish up chili and hot dogs, biscuits and traditional Mexican soup, a recording of Calvary’s distinctive choir plays in the background. A line snakes through the trees and around the playground, where some have stowed their clothing and bedding underneath the slide for safekeeping. “They’re my family,” says one volunteer, Mary Daniels, 63, of her fellow believers at Calvary Baptist Church. Says another man, a non-believer with black leather skin and gnarled yellow nails, tapping his cane against the sidewalk, “I don’t have much use for church. I don’t need the food. I come here every Sunday because of my people. The black people. My people are here.” Member, nonmember, black, white, brown -- Calvary Baptist doesn’t care. Davis prays for them all.
SOURCE: Deseret News | Elizabeth Stuart EMAIL: [email protected], TWITTER: elizMstuart
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September 2011 | More than a Magazine, It’s a lifestyle www . urbantrendsetters . comPage [ �6 }
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10: 2011 Hyundai Elantra 9: 2011 Nissan Cube 8: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta 7: 2012 Ford Focus 6: 2012 Honda Civic 5: 2011 Kia Forte Koup 4: 2011 Honda Fit 3: 2011 Ford Fiesta 2: 2011 Mazda3 1: 2012 Fiat 500
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