AUSTIN Black Business Journal® & Community News - October 2018 by AMC Publishing, LLC

October 2018

FREE

Volume I, Issue 6

Austin Area Urban League Equal Opportunity Gala

INSIDE

page 38

Austin Mayoral Race

page 18

Mid-term Election Voting Guide By League of Women Voters of Texas

page 5

BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY JPE WELLNESS ADVOCATES

LEGAL

 www.jpe-wellness.com  (512) 744-8149  jptxrose@jpe-wellness.com

BEST CHOICE MOBILE NOTARY & DOCUMENT SIGNING SERVICES

JACQUELINE PRIMROSE

Health & Wellness We help busy executives, entrepreneurs and leaders who spend most of their time caring for & solving problems for others, yet neglect self-care. We offer customized programs to empower clients to regain their time, restore energy and passion.

MVP TRANSFORMATION FITNESS LLC. MONICA PERRAS

 http://www.mvpfitnesslife.com  (512) 975-2244  info@mvpfitnesslife.com

Lifestyle Fitness Gym Veteran owned lifestyle Fitness Gym located in beautiful Hutto, TX. We offer an onsite Nutritional Coach Health and Wellness Coach & Personal Trainers. Members have access to an open fitness facility in addition to exclusive classes, workshops, demos & special events.

HOME, OFFICE & GARDEN AIR TEMP SOLUTIONS

WHALON PATTERSON  www.atempsolutions.com  (512) 954-5929 HVAC Air conditioning & heating business - sales & service

SHERI A MARSHALL  www.bestchoicemobilenotary.com  Austin, TX 78714 P.O. Box 142502  (512) 461-8510  smarshall074@gmail.com Texas Mobile Notary Public and Notary Trainer Specializing in general notaries, mortgage loan closings of all kind, Wills, and Powers of Attorney.

CHRIS TOLBERT LAW FIRM

LIGHT DESIGNS MEDIA KOREY DAVIS

 lightdesignsmedia.com/  (469) 571-8682  korey.davis@lightdesignsmedia.com

MDK PRODUCTIONS & PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN MALONE

 www.mdkprophoto.com  (737) 210-1780  info@mdkprophoto.com

 7901 Cameron Road Suite 3-230, Austin, TX 78754 https://www.tolbertjustice.com/  (512) 474-2355  christolbertlaw@gmail.com

Media/Photography/Graphic Design Specializes in media production & photography for small businesses & individuals. We also specialize in fashion, portrait, wedding and event photography.

LEGAL SHIELD

DARNELL PORTER  www.ShotByDPorter.com  dporterproductions@gmail.com Photography/Videography Children - Events - Portrait - Wedding Photography

CHRISTOLBERT, ESQ, LLM

SHOT BY D. PORTER

LILLIE ARNOLD

 www.lilliearnold.wearelegalshield.com  lilliea3@yahoo.com  (512) 272-4194

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

WESLEYSHINAULT.COM WESLEY SHINAULT

 www.wesleyshinault.com  (309) 533-5498  wesleyshinault@gmail.com Videographer

DHILLS PHOTOGRAPHY DWAYNE HILLS

STEPHANIE SULLIVAN, INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES

STEPHANIE SULLIVAN WHALON  www.ssinteriordesigns.com  (512) 466-0664  stephanie@ssinteriordesigns.com Commercial and Residential Interior Design

UMOVEIT-WECLEANIT ENTERPRISES

SHERI A MARSHALL  www.UMoveItWeCleanIt  (512) 461-8510  smarshall074@gmail.com Janitorial Company Commercial Cleaning business - offices, car dealerships. Move-in and move-out cleaning of houses and apartments. Event set-up and take down. Let us work your upcoming event so you can enjoy it.

 www.dhillsphotography.com  (512) 522-9093, (504) 316-8043

ELI’S PHOTOGRAPHY ELI WELLS

 https://www.facebook.com/ eliwellsphotography  (512) 767-8744  eliwellsphotography@gmail.com Photography Photographer for all of your special events, birthday, weddings, engagements, etc.

FELICIA REED PHOTOGRAPHY FELICIA REED

 www.feliciareed.com  (512) 627-1814  felicia@feliciareed.com Portrait Photographer

J. ALAN LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY J. ALAN LOVE

 (512) 998-3355  jalan@jalanlovephotography.com  www.jalanlovephotography.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ELAN LIFE COACHING TARA GODBY

 www.elanlifecoaching.com  (512) 761-4379 or (512) 953-3011  tara@elanlifecoaching.com

Life Coach/Success Coach/ Mentor Offers coaching session in-person & virtually. Works primarily with woman of color. Focuses on relationships, personal growth and career development.

GREATER TEXAS STAFFING & SECURITY

TERANCE DURST & SAMUEL STALLWORTH  (512) 733-3166  greatertexasss@gmail.com Staffing & Security

IMANI SOFTWARE

ECLEAMUS RICKS, JR.  imanisoftware.com  (512) 655-9082  info@imanisoftware.com Software Consulting We offer expertise in every step of the software development lifecycle.

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page 28

page 16

Austin Black Business Directory page 33

Tech Events In Austin

Darrell Pierce Breaks Down the 2018 Midterm Election

HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY CONTINUES ITS LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS: Business Administration Chemistry Communications Computer Science and Education Environmental Studies Information Systems Math Music Political Science

ADULT DEGREE PROGRAMS: Business Administration Criminal Justice Education Liberal Arts Psychology

Connect with us today at htu.edu or call 512.505.3036

GRADUATE PROGRAM:

@HustonTillotson

Educational Leadership with Principal Certification

@hustontillotsonuniversity @HustonTillotson

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Colette Pierce Burnette, Ed.D. President and CEO

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CONTENTS

GOVERNMENT

TRANSPORTATION

EDUCATION

5 MID-TERM VOTING GUIDE

23 AUSTIN DRIVERS URGED TO 'DITCH YOUR CAR'

30 HUSTON - TILLOTSON EVENTS

REAL ESTATE

RELIGION

24 AUSTIN TINY HOME COMMUNITIES

32 AUSTIN’S BLACK CHURCHES

AUSTIN REALTORS

BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TEXAS

CITY & COUNTY GOVERNMENT 14 AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATES

16 DARRELL PIERCE

26 AUSTIN REALTORS

33 AUSTIN BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BREAKS DOWN THE 2018 MIDTERM ELECTION

18 AUSTIN MAYORAL RACE

TECHNOLOGY 27 TECH EVENTS IN AUSTIN

COMMUNITY 38 AUSTIN URBAN LEAGUE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY GALA

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NONPROFIT GOVERNMENT SPOTLIGHT

2018 GENERAL ELECTION November 6, 2018

VOTERS

GUIDE

EARLY VOTING: October 22–November 2, 2018 » ELECTION ECTION DAY DAY: Polls P ll open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., November 6, 2018 U.S. Senator » U.S. Representative » Governor » Lieutenant Governor » Attorney General » Comptroller of Public Accounts » Commissioner of General Land Office » Commissioner of Agriculture » Railroad Commissioner » Texas Supreme Court » Texas Court of Criminal Appeals » State Board of Education » Court of Appeals

» EMPOWERING VOTERS. DEFENDING DEMOCRACY. The November  General Election is competitive, exciting, and important! Voters have a chance to make a difference for their family, community, state, and nation!

» SUPPORT THE VOTERS GUIDE Support the Voters Guide with a gift to the League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund,  Guadalupe #, Austin, TX  or make a secure donation online at www.lwvtexas.org.

DONATE » HELPFUL CONTACTS AND WEBSITES » ABOUT THIS VOTERS GUIDE

https://www.VOTE411.org

This Voters Guide is funded and published by the League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund. The League never supports or opposes candidates for office or political parties. For a hundred years, the League has been helping voters cast an informed vote when they go to the polls.

League of Women Voters of Texas lwvtexas.org

» HEY! TEXAS VOTERS! NEVER FORGET AN ELECTION! SIGN UP FOR VOTING REMINDERS!

» VOTERS GUIDE CONTENTS Voting for Judges in Texas Voter ID: What to Take to the Polls Reading Your Voter Registration Card Student Voters Vote by Mail © 2018 League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund | lwvtexas.org

Election Protection Voter Hotline! -OUR-VOTE English -Ve-Y-Vota Spanish -API-VOTE English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Bengali, Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog

• Text LWVTX to  to receive voting reminders on your phone. • https://my.lwv.org/texas/get-voting-reminders

Where and When to Vote

Secretary of State sos.state.tx.us VoteTexas.gov

6 11 11 18 20 20

Republican Party texasgop.org Democratic Party txdemocrats.org Libertarian Party lptexas.org V O T E R S G U I D E | 2 0 18 G E N E R A L E L E C T I O N E D I T I O N

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GOVERNMENT

U.S. SENATOR

Six-year term. One of two members of the U.S. Senate from Texas. The Senate has the exclusive power to advise and consent on presidential nominations to executive and judicial offices, to ratify U.S. treaties, and to try impeachments. With the U.S. House, the Senate adopts budgets, levies taxes, borrows money, regulates interstate commerce, provides services, adopts regulations, and declares war. Current annual salary: $174,000

Public Safety: What do you see as the best way to address mass shootings such as the ones in Santa Fe, Sutherland Springs, and Las Vegas? Other Issues: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing in the next session of Congress, and what is your position on these issues?

Immigration: What changes, if any, should Congress make in immigration policies?

» Ted Cruz (R) No response received » Beto O’Rourke (D) Background: As a member of the City Council, I balanced a budget each year and ensured we were creating opportunity for everyone—fighting for public schools, good paying jobs and a community that treated everyone with respect. As a Congressman, I’ve worked with both parties to write legislation including laws that improve access to health care for veterans. Health Care: As the least insured state, we should be working to ensure every Texan can see a doctor, afford their prescriptions, and get the care they need so they are healthy enough to go to school, work a job, and live to their full potential. We must also work together to end the maternal mortality crisis in this country. Finally, let’s lower prescription costs, safeguard Medicare, expand Medicaid, defend protections for those with pre-existing conditions and achieve guaranteed, universal health care. Immigration: We need to rewrite our immigration laws to reflect our interests, our values, and the reality on the ground in Texas. Recognizing we are a nation of laws that can maintain order at the border without dehumanizing anyone, we have to put a stop to family separation, ensure that every separated family is reunified, pass the DREAM Act, provide immigrants with a fair path to work and citizenship, and ensure that everyone who comes to this country can contribute to their full potential.

» Neal M. Dikeman (L) Background: I’m a th gen Texan with a young family, active in my church and community. I’ve founded  tech startups, held every executive job from CEO, CFO, to Board member. My degree is economics, my career has been international. I know energy, tech, finance, ag, & Texas. I’m not a politician or career government employee, but I know policy and I deliver Health Care: Today doctors work for insurers; insurers for your boss; nobody works for you; so the system doesn’t work. We need a Million Payer system: health insurance not tied to your job with spiraling costs hidden by government intervention and a bad s corporate tax deal. Where you buy insurance directly, usable anywhere not just in a private insurer network. Give you corporate tax deal, open up the networks, require good faith estimates. Address cost and choice, not restrict price and service. Immigration: Congress has talked about fi xing immigration my entire voting life—with no action from either side. This has to change. Our current system works for no one. Immigration is a strength of America. We need more legal immigration, so that our companies and jobs stay home, and America reaps the benefits of its melting pot and factories. We need clear pathways for immigrants to come to this country to work, whether they stay and earn citizenship or not, combined with enforcement of our laws. 2

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Public Safety: Texas should lead the way in preserving the nd Amendment while ensuring people can live without fear of gun violence in our churches, schools, concerts and communities. Let’s require background checks for all gun sales and close all loopholes; give federal help to school districts to improve campus safety; stop selling weapons of war that are designed to kill people as effectively and efficiently as possible; and support research on gun violence to better understand and address its root causes. Other Issues: Every child deserves access to a high-quality education. We must keep our tax dollars in our public school classrooms, ensure equity in funding, and empower teachers to teach to students—not to high-stakes standardized tests. Prioritizing education also means finally paying our teachers a higher salary, ending the Windfall Elimination Provision, and taking care of our retired teachers. Let’s make sure higher education is affordable too, including access to student loans and training programs. Website: http://betofortexas.com Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/betoorourke Twitter: twitter.com/BetoORourke Email: beto@betofortexas.com Video: https://www.youtube.com/v/RZUFAaSQ

Public Safety: If I had a silver bullet solution, I’d lay it out. But no one does. This is not simple or fi xable with federal action. Shall we pass new gun laws, erode our founding fathers’ most basic protection against government overreach, and pretend that fi xes such a devastating cultural issue so we can feel like we acted? What will we do when another shooting happens anyway, and our “silver bullet” did not work? Let’s solve our crisis of community in our community, not from Washington. Other Issues: Congress can’t pass budgets, has run up debt levels not seen since WWII, borrows % of each $, ignores the warnings of its own accountants. It’s run up $ Trillion in unfunded Medicare, Medicaid & Social Sec debts from underpricing and overpromising, endangering hardworking Americans. In human terms: $K/American family, x the American mortgage. They plan to add $T in new debts by the time my  year old gets to HS, out borrowing the entire GDP growth. We need basic fiscal management. Website: http://www.nealdikeman.com Campaign Phone: ()- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nealdikemanforsenate Twitter: twitter.com/nealdikeman Email: info@dikeman.net

OCTOBER 2018

GOVERNMENT

GOVERNOR

Four-year term. The governor is chief executive which means that he/she carries out the law. He/she appoints members to boards and commissions, appoints statewide executive officials, state judges, and district attorneys when vacancies occur, delivers the State of the State address, provides guidance to the legislature, calls special sessions of the legislature and sets the agenda. The governor can veto legislation (including a line-item veto on appropriations), sign legislation, or allow it to become law without his/her signature. Current annual salary: $150,000 » What does the governor do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9mbgGhulyY&feature=youtu.be

» QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES Background: What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position? Health Care: What specific reforms, if any, would you propose in state health care policy to address the cost of and access to health care for all Texans? Infrastructure: What specific measures do you propose to meet the state’s growing infrastructure needs (i.e. water, energy, and transportation)?

School Safety: What can be done to ensure the safety of our children in schools? Other Issues: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing in the next session of the Texas Legislature, and what is your position on these issues?

» Greg Abbott (R) No response received » Lupe Valdez (D) Background: As a daughter of migrant farmworkers, I’ve dedicated my career to public service and working for the greater good. From -, I served as Dallas County Sheriff, managing a $+ million budget, and reformed a department that sorely needed it. I’m a proud veteran and spent most of my career as a federal agent. Health Care: We have a health care crisis in Texas. An unregulated private health care system puts profit over people, while we remain the most uninsured state in the country. It’s time to accept Medicaid expansion, which would insure . million Texans. We must expand access to healthcare in rural communities, which have become medical deserts after Texas closed more rural hospitals than any other state in the country in the last  years. I will also fight tirelessly to protect women’s healthcare. Infrastructure: First, we need to stop focusing on harmful, job-killing bills and start paying attention to the issues that truly matter to Texans. We should promote public and private investment in renewable energies and make sure all communities have access to safe, clean drinking water. All over our state, Texans sit in traffic because we have failed to make adequate investments. This is why transportation funding must meet our needs today, so that we are ready for future growth.

» Mark Jay Tippetts (L) Background: I am bilingual and bi-cultural, and by profession, I am an International Legal & Business Consultant in Mexico and Latin America. I represented the Libertarian Party on the ballot in  for Travis County Judge. In , I was appointed to city council in Lago Vista, Texas. I know what it means to hold office and stand on principles. Health Care: I believe government should not provide, control, nor require health care. I do not believe that people have a right to be provided with healthcare at other peoples’ expense. I will advocate the phasing out of Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIPS programs. I support free market based healthcare systems and health insurance. I oppose a “single payer” concept and the federal legislation known as the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of  (Obama Care). Infrastructure: I support eliminating barriers to free market construction and maintenance of infrastructure. We should let market demand and willingness to fund dictate which routes are developed. I oppose costly projects intended to benefit land developers through the abuse of eminent domain. Never should unelected boards be charged with transportation planning; as such boards are not accountable to constituents or local authority. Toll roads should not be used to restrict people’s freedom of movement. © 2018 League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund | lwvtexas.org

School Safety: We can’t talk about school safety without mentioning gun violence and how our governor is acting as if it is inevitable & isolated to schools. We are NOT powerless to stop the bloodshed, regardless of where it happens. Common sense measures to keep guns out of dangerous hands include universal background checks, making it a state offense to lie on a background check, “red flag” laws, closing the boyfriend loophole, and banning high capacity magazines & bump stocks. Other Issues: Public Education: A child’s background, zip code, race, or how much money their parents make shouldn’t matter—every child deserves the chance to succeed. We need universal Pre-K for all Texas kids & to remove the caps on special education funding. We must pay & treat our teachers as professionals & make sure they are teaching to our children, not a standardized test. For any of this, the state must pay its fair share of public education & stop putting the load on local communities & taxpayers. Website: http://www.lupevaldez.com Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://facebook.com/LupeforTexas Twitter: twitter.com/LupeValdez Email: info@lupevaldez.com Video: https://www.youtube.com/v/yl-hlZBMU School Safety: I support measures to restore decision-making regarding education to parents, teachers, and local education boards. I reject any involvement of the federal government in our local school systems, including funding. By doing this we can eliminate across the board standards that have turned our schools into little more than testing sites, rather than a place where students are developing skills, learning mechanism for handling challenges and disappointments, and being evaluated as individuals. Other Issues: Drug Policy: I oppose the War on Drugs. Consistent with the principles of self-ownership, consenting adults ought not be restricted from partaking in activities that harm no one else. This includes possession, consumption and/ or market transactions of substances for medicinal, recreational, or other purposes. Individuals seeking or providing medical treatment should not be subject to prosecution. Website: http://www.markgov.com Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/markgov/ Twitter: twitter.com/markgov Email: campaign@markgov.com Video: https://www.youtube.com/v/rIN_ypA

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GOVERNMENT

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Four-year term. The lieutenant governor is powerful because of his/her position as president of the Texas Senate where he/she appoints the chairs and vice-chairs of committees, appoints senators to committees, assigns bills to committees, and controls the Senate’s agenda. He/she is also a member of several commissions and boards, and serves as governor in the governor’s absence. Salary is that of a state senator when serving as President of the Texas Senate $9,612 plus $190 per diem and that of the governor when serving in governors absence. » What does the lieutenant governor do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R0FmiZnEPQ&feature=youtu.be

» Dan Patrick (R) Background: Please refer to www.danpatrick.org/meet-dan for my biographical information. Health Care: My stance on important issues facing Texas is detailed in my record as the Lt. Governor of Texas. Please refer to www.danpatrick.org, as well as my official website, www.ltgov .state.tx.us, for the most current information on my positions. Infrastructure: My stance on important issues facing Texas is detailed in my record as the Lt. Governor of Texas. Please refer to www.danpatrick.org, as well as my official website, www.ltgov.state.tx.us, for the most current information on my positions. School Safety: My stance on important issues facing Texas is detailed in my record as the Lt. Governor of Texas. Please refer to www.danpatrick.org, as well as

» Mike Collier (D) Background: For many years I was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, leading teams of professionals performing financial audits and rigorous financial and operational analysis. I hold a BBA and an MBA from UT-Austin. Suzanne and I have been married  years and we have two sons who attended public schools (K-) in Texas. Both graduated from UT-Austin. Health Care: It’s time we expand Medicaid. It’s a good deal for Texas. We also need a Patient Financial Bill of Rights, including () absolute protection for Texans with pre-existing conditions, () protection against in-network vs.out-of-network surprise billings, () bills that are transparent and in plain English, and () mandatory disclosure if lower cost options (drugs and procedures) are available. And we must invest in women’s health, mental health, and children’s health, as we once did! Infrastructure: We have a revenue problem in Texas that we must fi x. Otherwise we cannot invest properly in infrastructure. In so doing, we cannot increase taxes on homeowners, because we are over-taxed already. As Lt. Governor I will take the first step in solving this problem by closing a well document big-corporate property tax loophole (known as Equal and Uniform) which will recover $ billion in missing revenues (per year). Other steps, if needed, will be the subject of my reelection campaign.

» Kerry Douglas McKennon (L) Background: I have + years of management experience. I am National Chair of Outright Libertarians, have had two terms on the LPTexas executive board, and had two terms as the Platform Chair for LPTexas. I am the Libertarian Party Hale County Chair. 4

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my official website, www.ltgov.state.tx.us, for the most current information on my positions. Other Issues: My stance on important issues facing Texas is detailed in my record as the Lt. Governor of Texas. Please refer to www.danpatrick.org, as well as my official website, www.ltgov.state.tx.us, for the most current information on my positions. Website: http://danpatrick.org/ Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dan.patrick.texas/ Twitter: twitter.com/DanPatrick Email: hannah@danpatrick.org

School Safety: I do not support arming teachers and “hardening targets.” The answer in my opinion is more counselors and trained psychologists who can develop relationships with students and react before, not after, a crisis develops. We also need a background check system that works, and red flag laws. Some physical security upgrades will no doubt be called for by local officials. The state should appropriate funds and enact legislation according to these principles. Other Issues: We must increase investment in public education (smaller class sizes, special education teachers, pre-K, better pay for teachers and support staff ), reform the charter model to achieve the original objective (enhance public school effectiveness), and end further discussion of vouchers. We must restore healthcare benefits taken away from retired teachers, and fund teacher retirement plans (TRS-Care and defined benefit pensions). We must end gerrymandering and reform our criminal justice sys Website: http://CollierForTexas.com Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://Facebook.com/Mike Collier Twitter: twitter.com/CollierForTexas Email: campaign@CollierForTexas.com

Health Care: The most important thing the state could do for healthcare is to allow interstate commerce of insurance. This would allow for true ompetition and drive down the costs. I’d also like, but do not have the authority, to drastically decrease the size of the FDA which creates corrupt structures reducing market competition. Infrastructure: TXDoT must prioritize TX’s infrastructure results that are fi xes rather than patches. Water is the life-blood of Texas’s agriculture, energy and tourist industry. We must work with those industries and districts to ensure © 2018 League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund | lwvtexas.org

OCTOBER 2018

GOVERNMENT

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

(continued)

» Kerry Douglas McKennon (L) (continued) water in perpetuity. Energy and water go hand in hand. Our current guidelines are decades old, causing us infrastructure damage, loss of water, potential loss of energy, and loss of life and property. TX needs regulation and technology more modern than the mid th century. School Safety: We have a constitutionally mandated public-school system in Texas, which we must make safe while respecting individuals and their rights. We must empower local schools to determine their safety protocols as opposed to a blanket state-issued guideline. Some schools may allow teachers to carry arms for defense. Others may put in metal detectors. Many will find ways to have secure lockdown. There are free market options regarding public school safety, which I encourage schools to research. Other Issues: Police accountability through body cameras, require police to take out their own insurance for accidents, and demilitarize our officers. Repeal all laws which make a criminal of someone without a victim. A crime requires a victim. A perfect example of this is responsible cannabis use. For all such victimless cases I would expunge records of those currently or formerly incarcerated. Abol-

ATTORNEY GENERAL

ish the death penalty. It is better to incarcerate hundreds of criminals than execute a single innocent. Website: http://mckennontexas.com Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/McKennonforTexas/ Email: mckennonfortexas@gmail.com

» LW V VISION STATEMENT We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.

Four-year term. The attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer of the state, represents the state and state officials in legal matters, issues opinions, collects child support, administers the crime victims compensation fund, enforces the open records/open meetings acts, approves public bond issues, and enforces consumer regulations. Current annual salary: $153,750 » What does the attorney general do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcrvTA-RIhE&feature=youtu.be

» QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES Background: What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position? Responsibilities: Which responsibilities of the Attorney General’s office are your highest priorities for the next  years, and how do you intend to accomplish them?

Consumer protection: What are the most important consumer protection issues facing Texans? Other Issues: What other issues do you consider the most important, and how would you address them?

» Ken Paxton (R) No response received » Justin Nelson (D) Background: The Texas Attorney General should be a check on power, not a rubber stamp. I learned about the rule of law from Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. I teach at University of Texas Law School, and am a “Texas Super Lawyer” for being one of the most effective lawyers in Texas. Texas deserves an Attorney General who will fight for ALL TEXANS. Responsibilities: The Texas Attorney General should be a check on power. I will stand up for the rule of law. The Texas Attorney General should not be a rubber stamp for anyone—whether in Washington D.C. or Austin. Nobody is above the law. I will fight corruption, work to protect pre-existing conditions in health care coverage, fight for public education, advocate for resources to treat the opioid crisis, and crack down on fraud. Consumer protection: The Texas Attorney General’s office should fight fraud, cybercrime, and corruption to make sure everyone has a level playing field. I will

make sure that small businesses and individuals are not the victims of fraud and deception. This includes ending partisan lawsuits and focusing on non-partisan consumer fraud investigations and making sure Texas is the leader in responding to fraud after natural disasters. Other Issues: The Texas Attorney General has wide power to ensure justice. I will clean up the Attorney General’s office, ending the corruption, and addressing our most urgent problems—fighting the opioid crisis, protecting consumers from fraudulent and abusive businesses, reforming criminal justice, fi xing the child support system, ending gerrymandering. I will make the office into one that fights for every single Texan. Website: http://www.nelsonfortexas.com Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NelsonforTexas/ Twitter: twitter.com/NelsonForTexas Email: info@nelsonfortexas.com

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GOVERNMENT

COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Four-year term. The comptroller is the chief financial officer of the state, collects state taxes and fees, pays the state’s bills, provides revenue estimates to the legislature, certifies the budget, reports the condition of the state’s finances, and provides economic development assistance to local governments and private businesses. Current annual salary: $150,000 » What does the comptroller do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blKSUsAZk2E&feature=youtu.be

» QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES Background: What training, experience, and background qualify you for this position? Revenue: What measures would you take to address the financial viability of the State of Texas?

Responsibilities: Which responsibilities of the Comptroller of Public Accounts office are your highest priorities, and how do you intend to accomplish them? Other Issues: What other issues do you consider the most important, and how would you address them?

» Glenn Hegar (R) No response received » Joi Chevalier (D) Background: As an innovative senior product strategist for successfully acquired startups to Fortune s, I’ve led large, diverse teams with products, programs, and internal businesses earning billions in revenue. Currently, I am a small business owner, focused on launching food companies into market, generating new food products, jobs, and entrepreneurs. Revenue: Cutting costs is no substitute for creating revenue. The Comptroller’s office should work to increase revenue with regular agency audits to understand/ fi x lost revenues; support real school finance reform; close loopholes in commercial valuations; increase small business growth and expansion; update outdated consumption taxes; fully implement Internet taxes after the SCOTUS Wayfair decision; sunset old sector abatements; reduce Texas’ $B debt to free Texas finances up to serve its citizens. Responsibilities: The Comptroller’s office can tie dollars to real world outcomes. It must be neutral, fair, and accurate about legislation & program values; in-

» Ben Sanders (L) Background: I’ve trained my entire life for this position. During my years at NASA & the US Army, I honed my skills in leadership, through fairness, integrity, and honor and will instill those values in the eighteen Field Offices across Texas. As Comptroller I won’t use scare tactics against my fellow Texans to control them. Together we can Win! Revenue: Your government’s principal function is to protect your freedom, your unalienable rights of Life, Liberty and Property, all crucial rights for building a free and prosperous society. My vision of government is one strictly confined to its constitutional role, a government that respects civil liberties, recognizes that the individual is more important than the State, exercises fiscal restraint and understands that government must pay its debts, believing in free markets. Responsibilities: .) Creating a more fiscally transparent Texas Government through the use of technology. .) Form a better fiscal educational outreach system for Texans. To help educate and promote small business and consumers on taxes and business process for better job creation. .) To faithfully execute my oath of office and safeguarding that I and no one in my administration performs any action that violates the constitutions of the United States of America or the State of Texas. Other Issues: Four years ago I warned the Texas Pension system was insolvent and grossly under funded, that it could not pay the money due its members. Now that warning has become a reality. As Texas Comptroller I have a plan to protect our State Pension Holders, and their families, ensuring their financial security by giving them the right to retire on their own terms and control their own futures. 6

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crease revenue while stewarding cost; encourage large & small business growth; be a proactive voice defending Texans’ daily lives with innovative and forwardthinking management of her wallet. This includes Special Reports on economic opportunities in expanding ACA/Medicaid or tackling school finance reform, so legislators make informed policy decisions. Other Issues: Healthcare: the Comptroller should provide special reports on costs to Texas in not implementing the ACA / Medicaid expansion. Texans carry the cost for uncompensated or underfunded care, no preventative care, or care pushed out to criminal justice and housing due to a broken ACA implementation and a failure by Republican leaders to have real data and prioritize this. We need to reclaim Texas’ dollars and use them here. It’s an outsized part of the budget and hampers prioritizing in other areas. Website: http://www.joifortexas.com Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoiForTexas/ Email: chevaliercampaign@gmail.com Website: http://www.votesanders.com Campaign Phone: () - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ben-Sanders-for-Texas-Comptroller- -/ Twitter: twitter.com/votesanders Email: ben@VoteSanders.com Video: https://www.youtube.com/v/Cfh hYXNqHg

» WHERE AND WHEN TO VOTE Vote early! • Early Voting begins Monday, October , through Friday, November , . • All registered voters may vote early in person at any early voting location in their county. • Check with your local newspaper or your county clerk or election administrator for early voting times and locations. Where do I vote? • Contact your County Election Official. They can tell you where you can vote. • Use VOTE.org. Enter your address and find where to vote.

OCTOBER 2018

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(Sentence does not meet criteria) • Videos that do not comply are removed.

JUDGE, TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

(continued) • Candidates with no photo did not submit a photo by the print deadline

» JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS PL ACE 7 (cont.)

Did You Know? » Ramona Franklin (D)

Background: My experiences as a former Harris County Assistant District Attorney, defense attorney in private practice and currently a district court judge have all uniquely crafted me with an uncommon legal background. Serving in all of these capacities have afforded me the opportunity of experiencing the legal perspective from all vantage points. Access to Justice: The new e-fi ling system that is being implemented across the State of Texas is a new tool that has been very useful in streamlining court documents processing. As a Court of Criminal Appeals jurist I will not infringe upon a person’s due process rights by enforcing unreasonable deadlines and causing a defendant to be executed because his attorney failed to timely submit an appeal before the court’s  o’clock p.m. court closing time which was done to Michael Richard Bring your ID toIn Vote Mental Health: myTexas! opinion, the Court of Criminal Appeals should be the leader for allwishing criminal in the ofoffi Texas mental health All citizens to courts vote must be State on the cial for listhandling of registered voters. Voters may use one of seven () forms of photo ID, listed below. IDs may be expired up to four years. Persons seventy years of age or older may use an expired ID.

» VOTER ID: WHAT TO TAKE TO THE POLLS

•cases. Ballot order at thethe polls will vary fromincounty I concur with opinion set out Atkinsto v. county. Virginia ()  U.S.  that states, “More than any other single factor, mental defects have been re»spected STUDENT VOTERS: AWAY COLLEGE? as a reason for leniency in ourAT criminal justice system.” I am concerned with of our current Court of Criminal Appeals decisions regarding BEtheA nature TEX AS VOTER! mental health issues. to vote. You must be registered Responsibilities: As a Court of Criminal Appeals jurist I will continue to carry •outFind out at votetexas.gov the mantra I employ every day as a State District Court judge, “Blindfold JusAt A(Note! Time.”We I will concentrate my efforts in ensuring that indigent •tice...One RegisterCase to vote! don’t have online voter registration in Texas) defendants are afforded all of the necessary tools to launch a successful appeal. I Iwill am work registered at mytoparents’ address! diligently ensure that the results that occurred in the Ricky Kerr case will never happen again in the State Texas. Day • Drive home! Early vote or vote onof Election •Website: or Votehttp://www.judgeramonafranklin.com By Mail Campaign Phone: () - IFacebook: am registered at my college address! http://facebook.com/judgeramonafranklin twitter.com/judgeramona •Twitter: Skip the lines! Vote early! Email: judgeramonafranklin@gmail.com • Or vote on Election Day!

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» JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS PL ACE 8

You must show an ID to vote! You can’t use your student ID. Your ID address does not have to match the voter registration address.

Michelle (R) • Texas Election » Identifi cation Slaughter Certificate (EIC)

While »dants. VOTE BYpunishment MAIL is certainly a goal of the criminal justice system, so is

• Driver license

• Texas Personal Background: IdentificationHaving Card issued servedbyasDPS a district judge for the past sevyears, I have presided • Texas license toeral carry a handgun issued byover DPSthousands of criminal cases ranging from state-jail felonies to capital murder cases. More• US military identification card containing the person’s photograph over, I have a proven track record of efficiency, effectiveness, • US citizenship transparency certificate containing thetaxpayer person’s dollars, photograph and saving all while ensuring interests of justice are served. •thatUSthe passport (book or card) Access to Justice: There is so much opportunity to improve access to justice Registered voters One without photoisID, reasonably obtain one, may sign with technology. example e-fiwho ling.cannot With e-fi ling, courts are much more acacessible form and present the original or a copy of one of the following documents with to the indigent. Online forms and instructions can be developed to althe name to and address votecourt a regular ballot: lowvoters individuals create theirtoown fi lings and legal documents if they want to represent themselves. In addition, through the use of video chatting apps (i.e. • Voter registration card FaceTime), those without transportation can still appear and participate in court •without Certififear ed birth certificate of sanctions. Health: Thbill e goal needs to be determining and implementing cost•Mental Current utility ways to provide justice in criminal cases involving mentally-ill defen•effective Bank statement •» Mark Government check Ash (L)

• Paycheck Background: I have been a criminal defense for  years. I graduated from UT/El •Paso Any government document as an in other  and South Texas Collegesuch of Law in out .of state driver’s license or expired Texas driver’s license. Responsibilities: Protect Civil Liberties. I will uphold the US and Texas Constitutions and improve the quality of life forofallReasonable Texas by deciding individual Th e form is called a “Voter’s Declaration Impediment or Difficases -

rehabilitation. The cycle of criminal activity can only be broken if a defendant Who can vote by mail in Texas? can be rehabilitated. Rehabilitation is especially difficult with mentally-ill defen•dants Over  because the criminal justice system lacks the proper resources. That deficiency must be rectified. • Sick or disabled Responsibilities: Preserving and protecting an individual’s constitutional rights • Out of the county on election day or early voting, must be the highest priority in the CCA. As a constitutional conservative judge, •myInopinions jail but otherwise to vote will informeligible the public of the constitutional issues at hand and my decisions will strictly adhere to the U.S. and Texas Constitutions. Transparency is Apply to priority. Vote By Mail! another Therefore, even if I am in the minority on a decision, I will not afraid to issuetocritical opinions from that call to constitutional •be Applications Vote Bydissenting Mail are available yourattention county election official. violations. For the Texas General Election your application to Vote By Mail must be received at your county election official’s office by Friday, October , . Note: Website: http://JudgeMichelleSlaughter.com postmarks don’t count. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Judge-Michelle-Slaughter-th-District •-Court-Candidate-TX-CCA-Pl--/?ref=bookmarks A ballot will be mailed to you. Then Vote! Email: thjudge@gmail.com • Return your completed ballot to your county elections department by on Election Day, November . mailed, the ballot must rights be in : p.m. an impartial manner based on the law,and theIffacts because everyone's postmarked by Election Day and received by the next business day. matter. • *If you are mailing your ballot from outside the United States, the county elecWebsite: http://www.markashfortexas.com Campaign Phone: () - tion official must receive your ballot by the fift h day after Election Day. (It Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/markashfortexascourtofcriminalappeals/ must be postmarked no later than : p.m. on Election Day.) Email: markashlawyer@yahoo.com

culty.” The voter must mark on the form one of the following reasons for not providing a photo ID.* • Lack of transportation

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LEAGUEorOF WOMEN VOTERS OF TEX AS INFO •» Disability illness

» NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES ALLOWED IN THE POLLS

The League Women never supportsneeded or opposes candidates for office •• Lack of birthofcertifi cateVoters or other documents to obtain an acceptable or political parties. form of photo ID. • Any use of the League of Women Voters name in campaign advertising or lit• Work schedule erature has not been authorized by the League. • Family responsibilities This Voters Guide is funded and published by the League of Women Voters of TexasorEducation Fund. For  years the League of Women Voters has been • Lost stolen identifi cation helping voters cast an informed vote when they go to the polls • Acceptable form of photo ID applied for but not received • The LWV Texas Voters Guide is nonpartisan, fair, and balanced. *ID address does not have to match the voter registration address.

• You may print the Voters Guide to bring into the voting booth! • Mobile phones and other electronic devices are prohibited in the voting booth, so be sure to bring what you need on paper, not on your devices. • An interactive version of this Voters Guide is available online at VOTE .org. Enter your address and zip code and view the races and candidates that appear on your ballot. You will be able to compare the candidates’ responses to the questions and create a printout of a ballot that you can take to the polls.

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“Substantially similar name”

The name on photo voter card 14 theV O T E R SIDG should U I D E |match 2 0 18 the GEN E R Aregistration L EL EC TION E Dor I T Ibe O N“substantially similar.” If the names don’t match exactly but are substantially similar, the voter will initial a box for similar name when signing in to vote.

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• Election officials cannot question a voter about the use of an ID type

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GOVERNMENT • Candidates who do not respond to our questionnaire by the print deadline are listed with the notation, “No response received.” Their information may or may not be in VOTE.org.

• Poll watchers may never question a voter about Voter ID issues

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League of Women Texas Voters GuideFund | lwvtexas.org © 2018 Voters League ofGuide Womenof Voters of Texas Education Editor: Carol Olewin Interns: Beatriz Castillo & Mariana Lozano LWV Texas Voters Guides are funded by the League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) corporation that is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

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CITY & COUNTY GOV’T

Austin City Council

District 1 Candidates T

Vincent Harding

City Council District 1. This race is wide open because City Councilwoman Ora Houston decided not to seek re-election. Six candidates have jumped at the chance to replace her.

Harding is a lawyer and political activist. After working at the Texas Legislature, the Travis County Juvenile Public Defender’s Office and the TxDOT, he became the chair of the Travis County Democratic Party.

Mitrah Elizabeth Avini

Natasha Harper-Madison

Avini grew up in Austin and was at one point involved in the city’s indie film scene. She has been a spokesperson for Joy International, a nonprofit that promotes cultural understanding between nations. She has also worked with the Asia Society, helping a startup develop sustainable hygiene products for schoolgirls in India.

Harper-Madison, an entrepreneur and community activist, is board president of the East 12th Street Merchants Association. She also started East Austin Advocates, a group that tries to match low-income families to resources.

here are five Austin City Council seats up for grabs in the November election, along with a race for mayor.

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OCTOBER 2018

CITY & COUNTY GOV’T

Reedy Macque Spigner III Spigner has a lot of experience working for government. He’s worked for the state Legislature, the Office of the Attorney General and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Lewis Conway Jr.

Mariana Salazar

Conway has probably received the most press coverage in this race. He is trying to win a City Council seat, even though he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 1992 and may not be legally allowed to take office. For now, the Austin city clerk is not challenging his place on the ballot. He’s currently criminal justice organizer at Grassroots Leadership, a national criminal justice reform nonprofit.

Salazar came to the U.S. from Venezuela as a teenager. She’s a community organizer who has worked with several local, state and federal agencies to focus on affordable housing and ending homelessness.

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CITY & COUNTY GOV’T

Darrell Pierce

Breaks Down the 2018 Midterms The results of this year’s midterm elections will be vital — not just in shaping the future of current presidency, but in shaping the American political landscape for at least a generation.

ABBJ: Why is important to vote in this midterm election November 6th?

D. Pierce: The results of this year’s midterm elections will be vital — not just in shaping the future of current presidency, but in shaping the American political landscape for at least a generation. The makeup of the whole House of Representatives is at stake, a third of the Senate, 36 governorships, many state legislature seats, and critical local races. With there being so many races nationally and locally it is easy to feel overwhelmed or undecided. For Texas and the national political scene, the outcome of Senate race between Cruz and Beto could be huge. But to understand why the midterm question of who wins is so important — it’s worth reflecting on the big picture of a part of what’s at stake. Depending on how well Democrats do, the party could completely change the trajectory of the Republican legislative agenda in Congress, but if Democrats do poorly, they could feel the consequences of their failure for at least a generation. That is to say: If Republicans hold 16

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Congress, they could revive their legislative agenda and have another shot at passing sweeping new laws. Accordingly, Democrats would continue to be in a defensive position of blocking without any real substantive agenda that can get the necessary votes — potentially giving the GOP an opportunity to tip the Supreme Court and other key judicial appointments further in a conservative direction. Unfortunately, working across political isles continues to become a lost art and needs to be found again for America to reach is optimized potential for serving all Americans. Further, depending on which party prevails the most in state elections, will be best positioned to frame how district maps will be drawn for another decade — all the way through 2030 Regardless of your political ideology or party affiliation, don’t’ get frustrated or detoured by the number of races. It is incredibly important that you remember politics start at the local level and finish in Washington DC. And in order to impact real change you have to stay diligent,

engaged, informed, and focused on voting through the entire ballot. ABBJ: Which political races are important to the city of Austin?

D. Pierce: Stay focus on the City Council races. When you look at Austin right now we are in a very unique transformational phase. The city just hired a new city manager (Spencer Cronk, hired Feb.2018). Spencer is coming in with an unprecedented amount of responsibility and discretion for hiring more executive positions than normal. Depending on who is elected as Mayor and to City Council will influence the type of people this city manager hires to help drive the strategic plan and vision that has been established by the current Austin City Council (Council). We do operate in a city manager form of government. While there is an enormous amount of power and decision making authority entrusted in the City Manager, this position reports directly to Council and Council reports directly to the community. Who we elect in elections matters. If we’re not participating in that OCTOBER 2018

CITY & COUNTY GOV’T

process, then we minimize our voice from ringing about what concerns may most adversely impact our community. If we are not actively participating in the process, we put ourselves in a very compromising position to be disappointed about the outcomes. ABBJ: What are your thoughts on the November 6th election?

D. Pierce: The answer for this question is reflected in my first response. ABBJ: What should voters be looking for in a candidate?

D. Pierce: At the top of the list should be honesty, transparency, ability to listen, and solid grasp of the issues that are most important to you. A proven track record for thinking critically and creatively combined with a willingness to take action and make decisions outside of the traditional box. ABBJ: Do local elections matter more than national ones? Why?

D. Pierce: All elections are important, but the magnitude of importance will change based on different reasons during different seasons. And may have a different level of impact on your quality of life based on the challenges we face in the here and now. Local elections tend to have more of impact on your daily life, while national politics have more of an impact on your overall life. Local elections tend to be easier to influence and produce short term results. But, both at some point and time impact the other. It is incredibly important that you remember politics starts at the local level and finish in Washington DC. ABBJ: What is the state of Black Business in Central Texas?

D. Pierce: Having served in a Senior Management role leading small business development across the State of Texas, and for the past 18 years as CEO & President of SNAP Management Group Inc., I am

concerned that while maybe gaining ground in certain sectors, but losing ground rapidly in others. Recently we received a solicitation communication from a government entity requesting for minority and women owned business participation for a local construction project. The following were advertised set goals to be achieved by prime contractors: HUB Goals: African American: 1.7% Hispanic: 8.1% Asian/Native American: 1.9% WBE: 10.2% Project Trade Summary This picture clearly shows we have the lowest goal on the list and this is a trend I am starting see across government sectors. While there are many business availability variables that go into setting disparity goals, we have some work to do in developing, and sustaining African American Owned Businesses. While many minority owned business certification programs across the country will guaranty business, they do have an impact on how aggressive various programs can be designed. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is conducting a disparity study of its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) programs to ensure all businesses have equal access to compete for its contracting opportunities and current programs remain legally defensible and administratively successful. The study will provide information to help TxDOT set DBE and HUB goals; monitor the programs; and assist firms to do business with the Department. Participating in disparity studies is one way to help ensure our respective companies or firms are included to impact study results and recommendations. To participate in a two hours session that is best suited to your business, please go to https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/6QCFWVX. The link will generate a short survey, which will place you in the appropriate interview group.

ABBJ: What should black businesses be looking for?

D. Pierce: Creating opportunities to collaborate with other business partners, leveraging knowledge within your circles, and identify creative means for generating funding. We should be reminded African Americans (AA) have been more likely to start a business than any other community in the United States, and AA millennia’s are even more interested in entrepreneurship than past generations, and AA women are the fastest growing group of U.S. business owners in the past 20 years. As the U.S. rate of entrepreneurship has declined in the past 25-30 years, entrepreneurial activity in the African American community has increased. One of our biggest challenges appears to be access to capital to market and grow those businesses through market cycles. Technology is making a little easier to be creative about strategies for raising capital. Crownfunding or similar models may be an option to consider. Equity crowdfunding increased the pool of eligible investors in the U.S. by at least 250 million people. Most equity crowdfunding campaigns are run when companies are young, during a company’s seed investment round. Converting fans and consumers into investors is the key for entrepreneurs interested in running equity crowdfunding campaigns. Entrepreneurs should first decide that equity crowdfunding is right for their business. Startups running equity crowdfunding campaigns must disclose a significant amount of financial information. Investors in equity crowdfunding campaigns mostly fill the role similar to angel investors. They invest after the company has some traction, but while the startup is still young. Do your homework and find the best crowdfunding or other funding model for your venture. Anything else important we should discuss? To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

CITY & COUNTY GOV’T

Austin Mayoral Race

total of six candidates want your vote for mayor.

Mayor Steve Adler heads into the race as the incumbent. He won in a runoff against thencouncilmember Mike Martinez. During his tenure, Mayor Adler has presided over major natural disasters including massive flooding in 2015, the rollout of a $720 million bond package which voters approved back in 2016, and most recently the Austin bomber attacks which had the city on edge for several weeks. If Adler wins, he’ll immediately become a lame duck as he’ll be term limited.

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Other candidates: • Political newcomer Travis Duncan threw his hat in the ring early this summer. A Dallas native who has made Austin home. He’s an artist who is running on a platform of overhauling the mayor’s office to become more accountable to the people. •F ormer councilmember Laura Morrison’s website highlights her accomplishments in council including introducing over 400 measures from 2008 to 2014. •G us Pena is also in the race, he’s known at city hall for being a regular during public comment advocating for equity in east Austin.

• South Austin resident Alan Pease filed. • Todd Phelps is looking for a rematch against Mayor Adler from 2014. He previously ran for the House of Representatives in district 21 currently occupied by Lamar Smith. Austin’s next mayor will have ceremonial duties and they must preside over council but they are not afforded veto powers. In regards to managing day to day operations, that falls on City Manager Spencer Cronk. Mayors can be recalled if enough voters produce a petition. The election is in November.

OCTOBER 2018

2018

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

BLACK PROFESSIONAL ALLIANCE (BPA)

ORGANIZATIONS EVENTS

October 11-13

National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Western Region Student Conference (WRSC), Dallas, Texas

14-17

National Minority Supplier Development Council will host their annual conference in the Austin Convention Center

National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) will host its 8th Annual Financial Fitness Seminar (FFS) 8:30 am 3:30 pm at the Austin Community College (ACC) Eastview Campus

2nd Annual Soul Food Truck Festival hosted by GABC and Soulciti

November 1-2

NFBPA will host its annual Leadership Summit Conference at the Omni Southpark Hotel

Texas Black Democrats encourage all citizens to vote in the elections. October early voting or on November 6th, consider running for future federal, state, and city positions.

10-11 & 17-18

Six Square will feature artists Dawn Okoro & Adrian Anderson Participant in EAST (East Austin Studio Tours) - FREE 11 AM 4 PM Location: 1152 San Bernard Street and other locations throughout The District

Get Started! SmallBizAustin.org

Earn Your Business Skills Certification! The Small Business Program continues its partnership with the University of Texas Center for Professional Education to offer small business training taught by small business instructors. Sharpen your skills with first-hand knowledge on a variety of topics covering marketing, human resources, business planning, accounting, and more! Visit www.SmallBizAustin.org or call 512 974 7800

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Please email Anita C Roberts at anita@amcpublishing.net or mail check to Made Media Group, 5114 Balcones Woods Dr. Ste 307-345, Austin, TX 78759

TRANSPORTATION

Austin Drivers Urged to 'Ditch Your Car' Starting Sept. 26, 50 of Austin’s residents will be able to register for credit towards Lyft, Zipcar, Austin B-cycle and Capital Metro. AUSTIN, TEXAS — Austin drivers are being urged to ‘Ditch Your Car’ for 30 days as part of an effort among ridesharing firms, with hundreds of dollars of transportation credit as an inducement, officials said Wednesday. “Ridesharing has already changed the way Americans depend on owning a car and how we get around cities but now it’s time to take an even bolder step toward creating a new future of mobility,” Lyft officials said in a written statement. That bold step is the “Ditch Your Car” initiative in Austin offering $550 of transportation credit to give up their cars for 30 days in favor of getting around town via shared Lyft rides, Zipcar, Austin B-cycle and Capital Metro.

Added Forrest Neilson, Zipcar regional general manager in Austin: “Every day, more and more people ditch their personal cars in Austin and instead use a range of mobility options to get around from car sharing to ride hailing. We’re excited to join Lyft in this fun 30 challenge that’ll encourage even more Austinites to go car-free. At Zipcar, we’re big fans of any effort to make it easier to live without a personal car.”

Starting on Wednesday Sept. 26, 50 of Austin’s residents will be able to register at http://ditchwithlyft.com/Austin for the opportunity to receive credit towards Lyft, Zipcar, Austin B-cycle and Capital Metro for the month, officials said.

Randy Clarke, president and CEO of CapMetro, noted the ease with which residents are now able to avail themselves of alternative transportation modes, requiring only a change of mindset: “As Austin continues to grow, so do the city’s transportation needs. One of the biggest challenges is changing transit habits and making it easier for people to use a variety of options. Opportunities to introduce multimodal transportation solutions that complement each other — like Ditch Your Car — are an important way to enhance regional mobility.”

“The way that people move around cities is changing faster than ever, and we are excited to challenge Austin residents to change their everyday habits and give up their car for a month,” said Aaron Fox, General Manager for Lyft Austin. “Lyft alone is not the overall solution to overcome transportation hurdles, but by partnering with Capital Metro, Zipcar and Austin B-cycle we are able to create a full menu of mobility options for Austin residents.”

Elliot McFadden, Executive Director, B-cycle, suggested he was buoyed at the uptick in ride-sharing activity he’s seen: “We recently hit 1 million trips in Austin, and we know this growth is only the beginning. Bikeshare continues to be an ever-growing piece of the transit puzzle, and the Ditch Your Car program offers Austin an exciting glimpse into a more efficient, collaborative transportation model of the future.”

Lyft’s 2018 Economic Impact Report found that in Austin, 52% of respondents use their car less because of Lyft, 13% use Lyft to connect with public transit, and 27% use Lyft to get around when public transit does not operate, officials noted. Here’s how it works: • Sign up. The first 50 eligible people signed up will be chosen. • Once chosen for the challenge, you’ll receive an email with the details of the program — including transportation credits! • Transportation credits include Lyft Shared, ZipCar, Capital Metro and Austin B-cycle to get around the city for one month. - Lyft Shared Ride credit (valued at $300) - Capital Metro pass for one month (valued at $96.25) - B-cycle one month pass (valued at $26) - Zipcar one month membership & application (valued at $32) + $100 drive credit • The challenge starts Oct. 8 and ends Nov. 6 “Since day one, we’ve believed cities should be built around people, not cars or parking lots,” Lyft officials wrote in a press advisory. “Using a mix of multimodal options, it’s possible to rework cities and ditch personal cars. Lyft is committed to being a part of the solution to reduce congestion, carbon footprint and the pain points of personal car ownership in Austin.” To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

REAL ESTATE

Austin Tiny Home Communities 4 tiny home neighborhoods in Austin that unlock affordable living

he tiny home trend is taking off across the nation, but more people in the Austin area are turning to smaller dwellings as a way to combat the area›s affordability issues. Relatively inexpensive, tiny homes can be an ideal alternative to cope with continuing rise in home prices, which have now reached a median price of $322,478 for a single-family residence. Several communities designed to meet the burgeoning demand for affordable housing are underway in the Austin area. Here’s a look at four local tiny home ‘hoods opening big doors to smaller living.

Constellation ATX

On tap along Old Manchaca Road in South Austin is Constellation ATX, which will accommodate more than 80 tiny homes on a little over six acres. Prices for the “micro” homes — with preapproved models built by two companies, Kasita and I.M. Homes — start around $90,000. On top of that, monthly rental of a home lot ranges from $725 to $1,050. The rent includes HOA fees, trash and recycling services, and property taxes on the land. But you’re on your own when

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

it comes to electric, water, internet, cable, and phone services. Constellation ATX is taking reservations for home lots, with each future resident paying a fully refundable $500 deposit. According to the community’s website, the first phase is coming later this year. Among the amenities set for Constellation ATX are bike racks, a “natural” swimming pool, an outdoor fireplace, and a clubhouse equipped with a commercial kitchen and Wi-Fi service. The site is about 10 miles south of downtown Austin.

OCTOBER 2018

REAL ESTATE

Manor Tiny Wildlife Resort

Manor Tiny Wildlife Resort is aimed at people who want to park their tiny homes for the short term or long term. The initial phase of the 75.5-acre project — northeast of Manor near U.S. Highway 290 and State Highway 130 — calls for 16 lots. A “primitive” lot will rent for $350 a month for those who don’t need electrical or sewage hookups. A full-service lot will go for $500 a month. Every renter will have access to a small outdoor shed, parking for two cars, and a small fenced area for pets or gardening. The goal “is to create a community with outdoor movies, walking trails, community barbecues, kennels, laundry facilities, and an amenity center,” according to TinyPortableCedarCabins. com.

Pecan Meadow Village

Stinson’s Tiny Dwelling Co. is also developing a tiny home community near downtown Kyle called Pecan Meadow Village. Four hundred tiny homes are expected to be added over four phases; each home will measure 200 to 400 square feet. Home prices will range from $80,000 to $120,000, according to the Community Impact newspaper. In addition, homeowners will have to lease their lots. Tiny Dwelling is accepting reservations for spaces at Pecan Meadow Village.

Village Farm

The Village Farm tiny home community, nestled in the far reaches of East Austin near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Decker Lane, promises the “simple life” in a sustainable setting. The hub of this socalled “agrihood” is a parcel of farmland. Residents enjoy eco-conscious features such as solar roofs, recycled building materials, composting, water-efficient fixtures, and rainwater harvesting. Homes cost anywhere from $70,000 to $140,000. In addition, there’s a $600-a-month fee for lot rental. In total, six models measuring 399 square feet each are available. The developer is currently hosting weekly open houses where potential residents can tour homes and check out the neighborhood.

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

AUSTIN REALTORS The decision to purchase a home is one of the biggest and best choices you could ever make. After all, a home is the largest - and most emotional - investment most people will face in their lifetime.

ANDRÉ BLACK REALTOR

Small World Realty (512) 412.1266 www.ABPropertyGroupATX.com AndreBlack.Realtor@gmail.com

When you’re looking for a real estate professional to help you, know that there are lots of good agents right here in Central Texas ready to assist. This is your dream, and your agent is your advocate to help make your dream come true.

CLARA SPRIGGS-ADAMS

EDIE C. PHILLIPS

Keller Williams Realty (512) 589.5376 www.claraspriggsadams.com cspriggsadams@gmail.com

Elegant Estates (512) 775-0637 www.ediecphillips.com edieCPhillips@gmail.com

REALTOR

In Aus

stin

Spread over fourteen lush acres at Laguna Gloria, Camp Contemporary offers an elevated summer camp experience for adults—complete with camp-inspired fare, craft cocktails, live music, outdoor activities, artist-led workshops, and so much more! All proceeds benefit The Contemporary Austin’s art education programs serving over 30,000 children and adults each year. Tickets to Camp Contemporary are on sale and going fast! Museum Members are eligible for discounted tickets, subject to availability. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event. Ages 21+. Space is limited. For more information about this special event, please contact events@thecontemporaryaustin.org. Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5–10P Laguna Gloria Member Day Ticket: $175 General Day Ticket: $200

TECHNOLOGY

Tech Events In Austin

VetsinTech TX & DraftKings Web Dev Training Tue, Oct 9, 6:30pm Galvanize - Austin, Austin, TX Starts at $10.00

All Day DevOps Viewing Party Wed, Oct 17, 9:00am 701 Brazos St, Austin, TX Free

#TechTips: Buzzwords are BS Tue, Oct 16, 12:00pm Accruent, Austin, TX Free

Tech Entrepreneurs: Get Feedback on your Startup’s Marketing from Entrepreneurs Tue, Oct 16, 3:00pm Austin, Austin, TX

Optihour Austin: Site Performance Wed, Oct 17, 5:00pm WeWork Congress, Austin, TX Free

Develop a Successful Drone Tech Startup Business! Tue, Oct 16, 1:00pm + 15 more events Web Conference, Austin Starts at $99.00

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

Austin’s Tech Wine Down for Technology Professionals Tue, Oct 16, 6:00pm Cedar Tavern Bar at Eberly, Austin, TX Free

B2C Tech Startup Meetaway Thu, Oct 18, 3:00pm Austin, Austin, TX OCTOBER 2018

TECHNOLOGY

Tech Leadership Meet-Up Series Wed, Oct 24, 5:30pm Boiler Nine Bar + Grill, Austin, Texas Free

ATX Urban Technology Movement: Help Me Help You... The Power Of Mentorship Mon, Oct 22, 6:00pm Oracle, Austin, TX Free

Monthly #FirstFridayFair Business, Data & Tech (Virtual Event) - Austin (#AUS) Thu, Oct 25, 11:00am + 12 more events Virtual Event [Online Only], Austin, TX

Austin Startup and Tech Networking Mixer powered by Google Thu, Oct 25, 6:00pm Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown University, Austin, TX Starts at $6.94

LASCON 2018 Tue, Oct 23, 8:00am Norris Conference Center, Austin, TX Starts at $349.00

CREtech Austin Thu, Oct 25, 4:30pm Capital Factory, Voltron Room, Austin, TX Starts at $45.00 Startup Founders of Tech Companies Group [1on1 Conversations over Video] Tue, Oct 23, 3:00pm Austin, Austin, TX

Tech Startup Prototyping [Video Conversations] Tue, Oct 23, 7:00pm Austin, Austin, TX

Austin Blockchain Collective - 2nd Town Hall Meeting & Showcase Mon, Oct 29, 6:00pm Capital Factory, Austin, TX

1st Annual Austin Rice Alumni Tech and Entrepreneurship Happy Hour Thu, Oct 25, 6:00pm Stella Public House, Austin, TX Free

BTG + Digital Marketer: Speed Mentoring For Women In Tech Tue, Oct 30, 6:00pm Digital Marketer, Austin, TX Free To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

EDUCATION

Huston Tillotson University

Events

www.facebook.com/pg/HustonTillotson/events/

October 16

Building Green Justice Forum 2018 This year's theme: “Power, Discourse, and Community” Tuesday 8 AM  Huston-Tillotson University __________________________

October 16

Districts 1 & 3 Climate & Energy Candidate Forum Tuesday 6:30 PM  Dickey-Lawless Auditorium at Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St, Austin, TX 78702 __________________________

October 27

2018 HT Scholarship Gala Sat 6 PM  JW Marriott Austin 110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 __________________________

November 3

New Story Experience A one-day preview of the New Story Festival (March 29-31, 2019) Sat 10 AM  Huston-Tillotson University __________________________

November 16-17

Inaugural John Q. Taylor King HBCU Basketball Classic  A.I.S.D Delco Activity Center 4601 Pecan Brook Dr, Austin, TX 78724

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

OCTOBER 2018

austincc.edu START HERE. GET THERE.

ACC Institutes Put First-Year Students on University Track Success begins with a strong support network. The recently launched academic institutes at Austin Community College (ACC) provide first-year students with exactly that, increasing the likelihood of timely graduation and university transfer. “Institute participants get to know each other in a way that is very rare on college campuses today,” says Dr. Samuel Echevarria-Cruz, ACC dean of liberal arts - social and behavioral sciences. “They also form deeper relationships with faculty than is usually possible.”

Institutes intended for university transfer with openings for fall are: • Business Studies • Pre-Engineering • Teacher Prep • Liberal Arts

Some of the college’s most experienced professors serve as mentors, offering individual guidance and support. They help students explore career possibilities and transfer opportunities.

The Liberal Arts Institute is a good choice for those wanting to explore their options. Students complete 12 credit hours each semester. They follow a predefined course schedule, which eliminates guesswork and saves money by guaranteeing that only the most necessary and relevant classes are taken. This focus on core curriculum equips students with the tools they need to thrive in college and beyond.

Many institutes prepare students to eventually earn their bachelor’s degrees from places like UT Austin and Texas State. These participants will leave ACC with a strong academic foundation and credits that are easily transferable.

“Students develop critical thinking skills, so they can engage with the world around them,” says Echevarria-Cruz. “Joining an institute is a great way to begin college life and start achieving your goals. ” For more information, visit austincc.edu/institutes.

RELIGION

Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Black Churches Church Name

Pastor

Address

City

State

Zip

Agape Baptist Church

H. Ed Calahan

7801 North Lamar Blvd., Bldg. F-15

Austin

Texas

78752

Alpha Seventh Day Adventist

Dr. Gordon S. Jones

3016 East 51st Street

Austin

Texas

78723

Bethany Christian Church

Rev. W.W. Booker

3507 East 12th Street

Austin

Texas

78721

14900 Avery Ranch Blvd. Suite C200

Austin

Texas

78717 78702

Christian Faith Fellowship Church Church of the New Testament

Billy J. Walker

1602 Harvey Street

Austin

Texas

David Chapel Missionary Baptist

Rev. Joseph C. Parker, Jr.

2211 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.

Austin

Texas

78702

East 19th Street Missionary Baptist

Rev. M.C. Walker

3401 Rogge Ln

Austin

Texas

78723

East Side Church of Christ

George Williams - Minister

5701 East MLK Jr., Blvd.

Austin

Texas

78721

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Dr. Ricky Freeman

1010 East 10th Street

Austin

Texas

78702

First Presbyterian Baptist Church

Elizabeth McLean

8001 Mesa Drive

Austin

Texas

78731

Gates of Dominion Word MinistryInternational

Michael A. Price - Apostle

5050 Commercial Park Dr., Suite A-1

Austin

Texas

78724

Grant A.M.E. Worship Center

Rev. Sylvester Delaney Patton III

1701 Kramer Lane

Austin

Texas

78758

Greater Calvary Baptist Church

Archbishop Dr. Sterling Lands, II

6510 Berkman Drive

Austin

Texas

78723

Greater Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist

Chester F. Brown, III

4907 Springdale Road

Austin

Texas

78723

Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Gaylon Clark

4301 Tannehill Lane

Austin

Texas

78721

Greater Union Baptist

Pastor Rickey E. Williams

2939 Pecan Springs

Austin

Texas

78723

Higher Dimension Church

Bishop Sid Deon Johnson

1310 Salina Street

Austin

Texas

78702

Holy Cross Catholic Church

Rev. Basil Aguzie, MSP

1610 East 11th Street

Austin

Texas

78702

Imani Community Church

5214 Duval Road

Austin

Texas

78757

Joshua Chapel C.M.E.

1309 East 12 St

Austin

Texas

78702

406 East Burton St.

Manor

Texas

78653

Metropolitan AME Church

Little Zion Baptist Rev. N. Jordan Mkwanazi

1101 E. 10TH STREET

Austin

Texas

78702

Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. L.K. Jones

2111 S.L. Davis Ave.

Austin

Texas

78702 78702

Mt. Olive Baptist Church

Rev. Richard E. Carter

2718, 1800 E 11th St

Austin

Texas

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church

A. W. Anthony Mays

5900 Cameron Road

Austin

Texas

78723

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Rev. G. V. Clark

2938 East 13th Street

Austin

Texas

78702

3403 Manor Road

Austin

Texas

78723

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church

507 Commercial Drive

Buda

Texas

78610

New Hope Baptist Church

New Covenant Church Pastor Roy F. Jones II

2405 East 16th Street

Austin

Texas

78702

New Lincoln Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Darron E. Patterson

2215 East 8th Street

Austin

Texas

78702

Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor Nathaniel T. Cannon, Jr.

78721

Rehoboth Baptist Church Simpson United Methodist Church

Robert C. Waddle

Austin

Texas

Austin

Texas

78721

1701 East 12th @ Leona

Austin

Texas

78702 78721

Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church

John M. Perez

1014 Gardner Road

Austin

Texas

St. James Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. B.W. McClendon, Sr.

3417 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Austin

Texas

78721

St. James Episcopal Church

Rev. Madeline Hawley

1941 Webberville Road

Austin

Texas

78721

St. John Primitive Baptist Church

1709 E.M. Franklin

Austin

Texas

78721

St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church

1160 Hargrave St

Austin

Texas

78702

Rev. Richard A. Coaxum

1202 Russell St

Pflugerville

Texas

78660

St.Peter United Methodist Church

Jack Gause

4509 Springdale Road

Austin

Texas

78723

St. Stephens MBC-Northstar

BJE McQueen

12300 Amherst Dr

Austin

Texas

78727

Sweet Home Baptist Church

Dr. Dante R Wright

3200 Sunrise Rd

Round Rock

Texas

78665

1300 Fort Branch Blvd.

Austin

Texas

78721

Wesley United Methodist

Sylvester Chase

1164 San Bernard Austin

Austin

Texas

78721

Zion Rest M.B. Church

R.E. Foster

3326 Paisano Trail

Austin

Texas

78745

St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church

True Light Baptist Church

1158 Webberville Road 5303 Samuel Huston Ave

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

OCTOBER 2018

BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADVERTISING & MEDIA

AUSTIN BLACK BUSINESS JOURNAL & COMMUNITY NEWS MAGAZINE

ANITA C ROBERTS  www.austinblackbusiness.com  (512) 380-1611  info@blackbusinessjournal.com Media Publication Business Journal & Community News Magazine

DAVID SIMMONS STATE FARM

DAVID SIMMONS  davidcanhelp.com  (512) 837-8825  david.simmons.dd9h@statefarm.com Insurance Offers insurance and financial services.

DIVYNE CREDIT FES, FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

JBR DESIGNS

JASMINE BATISTE  www.jbrdesigns.org  (216) 925-9986  jbrdesigns7@gmail.com Graphic Design All things graphic design!

KHRONICLESOFMXDEMOTIONS MICA FURLOW

 mmarch35.wixsite.com/khroniclesmxd  (512) 888-7760  mfurlow4@gmail.com

Writer/Author Self-published author writing about experiences of life, love, heartache, faith, and strength.

THE CONTENT PLUG ALEXIS DAVIS

 www.thecontentplug.co  (919) 631-9393  alexis@thecontentplug.co Social Media Management Helps businesses command a key presence online.

BANKING/FINANCIAL & INSURANCE ANDERSON FINANCIAL CONSULTING ERIC ANDERSON

 www.andersontaxes.com  (512) 906-0022 | (512) 626-7545  andersonconsulting3@yahoo.com

 (512) 989-9660 or (512) 537-0055  Cjhairrestoration@gmail.com

Hair Salon Full service Beauty Salon providing hair care services, including non-surgical hair restoration.

DIVYNE APOLLON

COCOA LASH BEAUTY BAR  cocoalashbeauty.com  (512) 763-0454

JANAE LYKES

 cocoalashbeauty@gmail.com

Lash Services Private beauty suite dedicated to pampering clients with high quality lash extensions, lifts, tinting, and hair removal services.

NAJI H. KELLEY

Media A leading platform for the voices of diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs in tech.

COLELITA MUHAMMAD

 www.cjhairrestoration.com

 www.fesconnect.net/dapollon  (202) 497-3734  divyneapollonsr@gmail.com

BLNDED MEDIA  www.blndedmedia.com  (512) 937-3228  info@blndedmedia.com

CJ HAIR RESTORATION

GUARANTY BANK & TRUST - AUSTIN, TX

RYAN COAXUM - VICE PRESIDENT  www.gnty.com  (512) 305-6525 (Voice) / (512) 659-3131 (Mobile)  RCoaxum@gnty.com Financial services Investments, banking, & lending

IBLESSFACES

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.

 https://m.facebook.com/NiaFordMUA/  (737) 247-1902  Niafordmua@gmail.com

 http://fa.ml.com/gdsmith  (512) 712-1525  gdsmith@ml.com

KUTTING EDGE BARBER SHOP

GERALD SMITH

Financial services Investments, banking, & lending

PRIMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICES LYLES & ASSOCIATES KEVIN LYLES

 www.primerica.com/klyles  (512) 270-4871  klyles@primerica.com

Financial Services We help families get on the path of financial independence through financial literacy, education and services.

NIA FORD

TRAE THE BARBER

 1779 Wells Branch Pkwy, Ste. 110A Austin, TX 78728

 www.smoothstylzbarberlounge1.booksy.net  (817) 840-8619 Barber Shop

LOVETRESS STUDIO NESIA THE STYLIST

 2525 W Anderson Ln #B-6 Austin, TX 78757  atx512finest.wixsite.com/LovetressStudio512  (512) 766-3318

TEMEIKA THOMAS PARTNERING WITH NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY TEMEIKA THOMAS

 www.facebook.com/TemeikaSThomas  (512) 610-3078  Tsthomas@ft.newyorklife.com

Life Insurance, Investment, & Financial Planning We work hard every day to make financial dreams become a reality!

MADAMI LASHES

MARISOL MITCHELL  www.madamilashes.as.me  (318) 507-8880  marioct24@yahoo.com

BEAUTY BBVA COMPASS

EDWARD L. HANNA  3003 Williams Dr., Georgetown, TX 78628  www.bbvacompass.com/business/officers/ edward-l.-hanna.htm  (512) 806-4560  edward.hanna@bbva.com

BELLE NOIR EXTENSIONS MARSHERRIE MADKINS

 www.bellenoirextensions.com  (512) 887-8660  bellenoirextensions@gmail.com Beauty Industry Hair Extensions Company

MARY KAY COSMETICS KEESHA NIX

 www.marykay.com/KeeshaNix  (512) 963-7197  KeeshaNix@marykay.com

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY PERFECT STYLZS LLC.

 401 Ed Schmidt Blvd Ste. 300 Hutto, Texas 78634 Adebayo Opio  www.Perfectstylzs.com  (512) 642 6882  Perfectstylzs@gmail.com Barbershop, hair and nail salon Perfect Stylzs is a multicultural, full-service salon that caters to all demographics. A family-owned business.

SALON X CHANGE

NATASHA WILLIAMS  www.salonxchangeatx.com  (512) 420-9445  salonxchange@yahoo.com Full Service Salon. Hair, nail & skin salon

VIBRANT HAIR STUDIO EVA NOBLE

 www.styleseat.com/evanoble2  (512) 379-1576  vibranthairstudio@yahoo.com

Hair Salon Natural haircare, hair extension, chemical services, cuts, and braids

ENTERTAINMENT

BRYANT ENTERPRISES D. DAVID BRYANT

 www.bryant-enterprises.com  www.amazon.com/-/e/B078QGYXXS  (512) 227-1429

COMEDIAN MIZT TRANEA PROSSER

 www.miztcomedy.com  (713) 570-6941  miztcomedy@gmail.com

Entertainment Services Family friendly Stand-up comedy for Social Events, Birthdays, Weddings, Pastoral Celebrations, Conferences

DANCIN’ JAZZI DANCE STUDIO MELANIE SMITH

 2121 W Parmer Lane, Suite 117, Austin, TX 78727  www.dancinjazzi.com  (512) 799-2807  dancin.jazzi@gmail.com Children’s Dance Studio Children’s Dance Studio offering Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop. Austin’s first black owned and operated Dance Studio. Dancin’ Jazzi is also the home to the National Grande Champion, FLAVA Dance Company- a children’s pre-professional Dance Company.

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

DJ KAY CALI

(KAY N.) DJ KAY CALI  DJKayCali.com | TheGrooveTheory.com  BookDJKayCali@gmail.com DJ Services DJ, Host, Radio Personality & Producer here to create the soundtrack to your life!

MADE MEDIA GROUP ANITA C ROBERTS

 www.mademediagrouponline.com  (512) 380-1611  info@mademediagroup.org

 www.idjevents.com  (512) 677-4351  info@idjevents.com

Mobile DJ Providing DJ entertainment for various types of events.

Non-profit 501(c)3 Org Founded to inform, empower and transform African American/multicultural communities through mass media. We educate minority youth with the purpose to encourage them to pursue careers in mass communication. Programs include: documenting and profiling local minorities; multicultural events; mentor program; tv, radio, print & digital education programs.

KMLIVE PRODUCTIONS

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

IDJ EVENTS

CEDRIC JONES

KYLE MILLER  www.kmliveproductions.com  (972) 821-9930  kyle@kmliveproductions.com Live Sound Production KMLIVE Productions provide professional sound and lighting for events of all kinds.

7ART MOBILE PAINT PARTIES

SVEN NICKERSON  www.7art.party  (682) 553-7742  sevenart87@gmail.com Paint Party (Paint Class) We bring the party to you. Sing your heart out while painting your masterpiece, with customer satisfaction as our priority.

D-SOUL DAVIS

DEMETRIUS DAVIS  dsouldavismusic.com  (512) 576-7281  dsouldavismusic@gmail.com Music Entertainment Music for all occasions Meetings, Birthdays, Weddings, Reunions etc.

EBONIE TRICE

 www.mission-accomplished.org  (512) 588-3321  info@mission-accomplished.org

Non-profit organization - 501(c)3 The organization’s primary goal is to provide resources and assistance to individuals and families that need a helping hand to reach the next level.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS

PRESIDENT - SHERI A MARSHALL  www.naba-austincentex.org  (512) 461-8510 Non-profit Accounting & Finance Organization We are an organization of Accountants, CPA’s, Comptrollers, and Finance & Accounting personnel

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN GREATER AUSTIN SECTION

PRESIDENT - SHERI A MARSHALL  www.ncnwaustin.org  (512) 461-8510  smarshall074@gmail.com Non-profit Professional Organization We advocate for Women and Girls of African descent, in our communities and families.

FAMILY, COMMUNITY & NON-PROFIT

HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

ATX FUTURE

ANDREA WIGGINS STRONG ANDREA WIGGINS

TERRY SMOTHERS  www.atxfuture.org  (512) 796-9960  terrysmothers4@gmail.com Youth Basketball Teams Basketball teams 4th Grade to Varsity that play in AAU basketball tournaments. Goal is for players to get college scholarships.

Women’s Fitness Coach and Trainer Provide customized fitness training and coaching for women. Sessions offered in home, in studio or virtually (online)!

BLACK PROFESSIONAL ALLIANCE (BPA)

BODY BY NATURE MASSAGE & WELLNESS

 www.blackprofessionalalliance.org  president@blackprofessionalalliance.org

Non-profit Professional Org To collectively synergize for individual effectiveness. We believe in the action of working together as a primary goal. This is “Collaboration at Its Best”.

 www.andreawigginsstrong.com  (847) 652-0284  andrea@andreawigginsstrong.com

MAJESTIC

 (512) 766-6301  info@bodybynaturemassage.com

Therapeutic Massage Services We are a certified woman-owned business. We provide therapeutic chair/table massage for the government, special events, corporate wellness programs, and the private sector.

OCTOBER 2018

BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY JPE WELLNESS ADVOCATES

JACQUELINE PRIMROSE  www.jpe-wellness.com  (512) 744-8149  jptxrose@jpe-wellness.com Health & Wellness We help busy executives, entrepreneurs and leaders who spend most of their time caring for & solving problems for others, yet neglect self-care. We offer customized programs to empower clients to regain their time, restore energy and passion.

MVP TRANSFORMATION FITNESS LLC.

MONICA PERRAS  http://www.mvpfitnesslife.com  (512) 975-2244  info@mvpfitnesslife.com Lifestyle Fitness Gym Veteran owned lifestyle Fitness Gym located in beautiful Hutto, TX. We offer an onsite Nutritional Coach Health and Wellness Coach & Personal Trainers. Members have access to an open fitness facility in addition to exclusive classes, workshops, demos & special events.

LEGAL BEST CHOICE MOBILE NOTARY & DOCUMENT SIGNING SERVICES

CHRIS TOLBERT LAW FIRM CHRISTOLBERT, ESQ, LLM

 7901 Cameron Road Suite 3-230, Austin, TX 78754 https://www.tolbertjustice.com/  (512) 474-2355  christolbertlaw@gmail.com

LIGHT DESIGNS MEDIA KOREY DAVIS

 lightdesignsmedia.com/  (469) 571-8682  korey.davis@lightdesignsmedia.com

MDK PRODUCTIONS & PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN MALONE

 www.mdkprophoto.com  (737) 210-1780  info@mdkprophoto.com

Media/Photography/Graphic Design Specializes in media production & photography for small businesses & individuals. We also specialize in fashion, portrait, wedding and event photography.

SHOT BY D. PORTER DARNELL PORTER

 www.ShotByDPorter.com  dporterproductions@gmail.com

HOME, OFFICE & GARDEN AIR TEMP SOLUTIONS WHALON PATTERSON

 www.atempsolutions.com  (512) 954-5929

HVAC Air conditioning & heating business - sales & service

LEGAL SHIELD

Photography/Videography Children - Events - Portrait - Wedding Photography

LILLIE ARNOLD

 www.lilliearnold.wearelegalshield.com  lilliea3@yahoo.com  (512) 272-4194

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

WESLEYSHINAULT.COM WESLEY SHINAULT

 www.wesleyshinault.com  (309) 533-5498  wesleyshinault@gmail.com Videographer

DHILLS PHOTOGRAPHY DWAYNE HILLS

STEPHANIE SULLIVAN, INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES

STEPHANIE SULLIVAN WHALON  www.ssinteriordesigns.com  (512) 466-0664  stephanie@ssinteriordesigns.com Commercial and Residential Interior Design

 www.dhillsphotography.com  (512) 522-9093, (504) 316-8043

ELI’S PHOTOGRAPHY

ELI WELLS  https://www.facebook.com/ eliwellsphotography  (512) 767-8744  eliwellsphotography@gmail.com Photography Photographer for all of your special events, birthday, weddings, engagements, etc.

UMOVEIT-WECLEANIT ENTERPRISES

FELICIA REED PHOTOGRAPHY

 www.UMoveItWeCleanIt  (512) 461-8510  smarshall074@gmail.com

 www.feliciareed.com  (512) 627-1814  felicia@feliciareed.com

SHERI A MARSHALL

Janitorial Company Commercial Cleaning business - offices, car dealerships. Move-in and move-out cleaning of houses and apartments. Event set-up and take down. Let us work your upcoming event so you can enjoy it.

FELICIA REED

Portrait Photographer

J. ALAN LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY J. ALAN LOVE

 (512) 998-3355  jalan@jalanlovephotography.com  www.jalanlovephotography.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ELAN LIFE COACHING TARA GODBY

 www.elanlifecoaching.com  (512) 761-4379 or (512) 953-3011  tara@elanlifecoaching.com

Life Coach/Success Coach/ Mentor Offers coaching session in-person & virtually. Works primarily with woman of color. Focuses on relationships, personal growth and career development.

GREATER TEXAS STAFFING & SECURITY

TERANCE DURST & SAMUEL STALLWORTH  (512) 733-3166  greatertexasss@gmail.com Staffing & Security

IMANI SOFTWARE

ECLEAMUS RICKS, JR.  imanisoftware.com  (512) 655-9082  info@imanisoftware.com Software Consulting We offer expertise in every step of the software development lifecycle.

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY PARAMOUNT RESUMES, LLC

JEANNA FULLARD  www.paramountresumesllc.com  (512) 949-1628  paramountresumesllc@gmail.com Business Services/Resume Writing Services A Resume Writing Services business. We provide affordable & professional Resume Writing services. We help job seekers reach their career goals.

YBS ANALYTICS

ANDRÉ BLACK  www.ybsanalytics.com  (512) 412-1266  andre.black@ybsanalytics.com Data Analytics / ETL / Technology Consulting Firm Do you have a data related question about your business? Think of us! We’re a certified partner for the best software solutions in the industry. We hold the expertise in implementing necessary products to solve complex data problems.

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

SUGA’S CAKERY

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY CLARA SPRIGGS-ADAMS

 www.claraspriggsadams.com  (512) 589-5376 Real Estate

RESTAURANTS/FOOD & BEVERAGE

PATRICIA BEDFORD  www.sugascakery.com  (512) 262-9983  patriciabedford@sugascakery.com Custom cake shop A custom cake shop specializing in custom cakes, cupcakes, cake pop and petit fours that can be the centerpiece of your special occasion.

VEH’S TREATS ANYE’ SMITH

 www.facebook.com/vehstreats  (512) 796-5806, (737) 757-6890  vehstreats@gmail.com

THE CHOW WAGON

JOHN Q COLLINS P.O BOX 364, Manor, TX 78653  www.The-Chow-Wagon.com  (512) 317-6908  Thechowwagon2016@gmail.com

KREYÒL KORNER CARIBBEAN CUISINE NAHIKA HILLERY

 www.facebook.com/kreyol.korner.5  (512) 596-0094

Baking/Pastry Home-based business, located in Pflugerville. Our hope is to bring attraction to the local working class with its variety of delicious sweets and treats.

V’S CATERING & EVENT STYLING VERNETTA WESTON

 www.vscateringandevents.com  (281) 660-4109  catering@vscaterinandevents.com Catering and event Planning/Styling

IslandEats, LLC

MAKE MY DAY ITALIAN ICE & GOODIES AB PROPERTY GROUP ANDRÉ BLACK

 www.ABPropertyGroupATX.com  (512) 412-1266  AndreBlack.Realtor@gmail.com Real Estate Broker: Small World Realty

CRESANDRA HARDEMAN

 www.makemydayice.com  (512) 422-1096  makemydayice@gmail.com

SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL

Italian ice business Mobile vending business; only doing events and catering at this time.

POUR CHOICES

ELEGANT ESTATES

RICHARD MATTHEWS JR.  www.pourchoicesaustin.com  (737) 212-0368  info@pourchoicesaustin.com Bar/Club

 www.ediecphillips.com  (512) 775-0637

REDD’S TABLE

EDIE C. PHILLIPS Real Estate

E-INFINITY REALTY TEPHANIE MANOR

 einfinityrealty.com  (512) 807-9292  info@einfinityrealty.com

Real Estate Brokerage E-Infinity Realty is a full service Real Estate Brokerage offering leasing and sales of residential, commercial and industrial real estate.

HOMES WITH HALL CHRISTIE HALL

 www.homeswithchristiehall.com  (512) 417-7131  christiehall.texas@kw.com

Real Estate We provide superior service throughout the home buying and selling process.

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

ALTA Y ALEXANDER ALTATUDES  1717 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702  www.altatudes.com  (512) 761-4292 Upscale Women’s Boutique

BCE STUDIOS

TARSHA REDD  redds-table-catering.com  (512) 766-9189  Redd’s.table.catering@gmail.com Culinary Services Redd’s Table provides outstanding culinary services, specializing in intimate meals and small to mid-sized special events.

MARQUES DEVAUGHN  (512) 797-4362  bceprintshop@gmail.com Screen-printing We have a photography studio. Screen-printing services and an outdoor event space.

ROUND THE WAY POP UP RESTAURANT, LLC

BLESSEDTREAUSURES38

LEANDRA KENTISH  RTWpopup.com  roundtheway.info@gmail.com Pop Up Shop A unique dining experience that brings the community together through music, art, and most importantly food. Our vision is to love our bodies by feeding it good food, build our communities by empowering the members in them, and to transform cities one garden at a time.

CHAIRMAIN MACKSON

 www.paparazziaccessories.com/142876  (512) 897-6061  blessedtreasures38@gmail.com

Paparazzi Independent Consultant (Accessories) We have affordable, trendy and unique jewelry that Paparazzi Accessories offers to our valuable customers. Most of our jewelry is $5 also Nickle and Lead Free. We have an elegant line called Zi Collection.

OCTOBER 2018

BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY CAL’S BEAUTY SALON & SUPPLY

ANDREA EDWARDS & JENNIFER WALLS  www.Calsbeautyatx.com  (512) 928-3900  Calsbeautyatx@gmail.com Beauty Supply and Salon A family owned & operated beauty supply store servicing hair care professionals in central Texas. We carry the entire line of Avlon products which include Affirm, KeraKare, and Syntonics. In addition, we carry Silk2, Chi Deep Brilliance, and Nairobi. We also have a variety of products for our retail clients with multi-cultural hair types.

TRAVEL

OTHER CHOSENEYES, LLC

DREAMS COME TRUE TRAVEL MILTON WALLACE  (940) 368-4886  www.miltonwallacetravels.com

DEANNA GAYLE

DEANNA KRUEGER  www.deannagayle.com  (512) 748-0483 Evening Wear (women) Prom, Gala, Evening, banquet, etc.

HAWKINS BUCKLEW JEWELRY DESIGNS

SHEILA HAWKINS-BUCKLEW  www.HawkinsBucklew.com  (512) 736-2502  Jewelry@HawkinsBucklew.com Posh Handmade Women’s Jewelry We create upscale, limited-edition Women’s EthosChic Jewelry. Our jewelry pieces include original designs by Sheila Hawkins-Bucklew & consist of ear, arm, and neckpieces handmade using natural stones, earth crystals, and both alloy and precious metals.

JMTEES LLC

OMAR TONKINS  www.jmtees.com  (512) 388-5555  info@jmtees.com Screen printing and embroidery We specialized in screen printing and embroidery of almost any type of garment. We also provide Vinyl window decals for promoting your business, child’s sporting event or personal messages. We work with individuals, schools, churches, youth sports and Fortune 500 companies.

MELANATED MARKET PLACE, KEMETIC KONCEPTS, & RYCHEZ ROOTZ

ANTHONY DAVIS/JACQUELINE DANIELS  melanatedmarketplace.com  melanatedmarket@yahoo.com Pop up shops/ black & brown markets Gathering of like-minded entrepreneurs of the black and brown community in Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and Killeen area’s (for now). A space available to us by way of an established black owned store front. The ultimate goal and purpose is a brick and mortar/ co-op shop. Sustainable and attainable by all of us. “For Us By Us”.

REJUVENATE BATH & BODY

LEAH BROCK-WHITE (CHOSENEYES)  www.ChosenEyes.com  (504) 407.5439  choseneyes9@gmail.com Spiritual Guidance/Psychic Medium ChosenEyes empowers through compassion and helps clients find ways to reach their fullest potential by way of spiritual commitment and enlightenment. With over 20 years of professional experience as a psychic-medium, ChosenEyes is committed to seeking truth, uncovering love and healing, and inspiring boss-like mentality in all of her clients.

COOL HEAD HOMES LLC SIERRA COLLINS

RESORT READY RATES

SHALONDA HURD Austin, TX  resortreadyrates@gmail.com  (512) 293-5905  wstgt.com/9079786498

UNIVERSITIES/SCHOOLS

 www.CoolHeadHomes.com  (737) 701-6925  CoolHeadHomes@gmail.com

Cash Home Buyer We buy distressed Houses Cash! Fairly, Respectfully, and Conveniently! We help people get rid of unwanted houses by paying CASH. Contact us today for a fair offer on your property.

STARTEK CONNECTIONS LLC EVETTE HUDSON

 www.startekconnections.com  (832) 477-4688  ehudson@startekconnections.com

HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY  900 Chicon Avenue, Austin, TX 78702  www.htu.edu  (512) 887-5659

A historically black college/university located in Austin, Texas.

Call Center and Dispatching Service We offer Outbound and Inbound calling services including appointment setting, sales, customer support, pre-calls, survey calls, telemarketing and so much more. We also offer dispatching services, whether it’s dispatching your technicians or your trucks.

Want To See Your Business In The Directory? Contact us today!

MELINDA DAWSON

 www.rejuvenatebb.com  (512) 270-0756  rejuvenatebb@gmail.com

Email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

Bath & Body Product line

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

COMMUNITY

Austin Area Urban League

Equal Opportunity Gala S

upporters of the Austin Area Urban League dawned black tie and trendy evening wear to celebrate the event of the year. Led by President and CEO, Quincy Dunlap the 41st annual Equal Opportunity Day Gala, is in support of the Austin Area Urban League. Proceeds from the event help the organization accomplish both meaningful and impactful programs for the Austin community. Since 1941, The Austin Area Urban League has gone from humble civil rights beginnings to a regionally recognized pillar organization in the community. We are hard at work every single day: • More than 99 individuals have been put to work, that’s right, a living wage providing an opportunity to change their legacy for future generations. • 200+ individuals have completed workforce and career development training, giving them an opportunity to have a hand up. • 200+ underserved clients in desperate need have been provided with emergency home repair with a waiting list of 100’s more.

“The Austin Urban Leagues extends tremendous appreciation to its Sponsors. We owe much of our success to the enduring generosity of our supporters and donors. Whether Urban Leaguers or everyday citizens of Austin, corporate partners or distinguished friends; donors have funded and supported program innovation, strengthened ties to the greater community, and laid a strong foundation for the Urban League’s future. To you all we say thank you.”

Quincy Dunlap CEO & President Austin Area Urban League

To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com

OCTOBER 2018

COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY

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OCTOBER 2018

COMMUNITY

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