Cleveland Volume 3, Issue 1 by AMPS Magazine

What’s Inside...

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A WORD FROM THE CEO

This is the twelfth issue of AMPS Magazine, Ohio Edition. I wanted to take this time to congraulate A.M.P.S. (American-Minority People Succeeding) Cleveland franchise on a great job they are doing in the community in providing good stories and educating the community.

This is where Substance and Style meets Supreme Standards. Our mission is “superior application development through dedicated professionalism while maintaining a customer-centered focus to lead the industry in ideas and creative solutions”. Our events marketing and promotions department is designed to present positive entertainment and events that the Louisiana communities deserve.

We specialize in helping brands create a unique connection with consumers at our events as well as create an opportunity for you to meet other business owners, executives, present and future customers, and other socialites. Simply put, “We’re Accomplished By Making You Successful.”

Gerald D. Wright, CEO

about the publisher

I want to start by saying thank you to every reader of AMPS Ohio Magazine. Your support of the magazine and your response and well wishes go a long way and I am honored. As we enter into the fall and the last months of the year we want to embrace what the future holds for us, not only as a magazine but as family, friends and community.

In this issue of AMPS Ohio Magazine you will find ads for the Barnes Family Honey products that include pure honey and a honey based skin moisturizer. The Barnes Family strives to deliver excellent quality products. We couldn’t let the 2024 Paris Olympics come and go without applauding all of the USA Teams that represented the U.S. with some of the most talented athletes in the world. This issue highlights our youngest gold medal winner Quincy Wilson who will go down in history as the youngest male track and field Olympian to win gold to date. We also highlighted Sha’ Carri Richardson, who this year competed in the Olympic games and brought home a silver individual medal and a team gold medal. Well done. This issue also features an article on the fateful events of 9/11 and what is happening at ground zero today. We will forever remember those that lost their lives on that day.

This issue is packed with great melanated businesses, events, articles and more. Thank you for continuing to support AMPS,

Here at AMPS Ohio Magazine we are humbled and proud to serve you.

AMPS Ohio Magazine

Publisher Romeo Barnes

Thank you for your continued support.

Tribute to Marlene “Scorp” Barnes

There is nothing more special than the love of a mother. The unconditional love between a mother and her child is unbreakable. My mother Marlene Barnes was a force to be reckoned with. My mother was intelligent, grounded, calm, ambitious and supportive. My mother walked with pride and never took no mess from nobody.

My mother Marlene was there for every milestone, celebration and event. There wasn’t anything my mother believed I couldn’t do. My mother’s legacy of love and compassion lives on through me. There wasn’t anything we couldn’t discuss, laugh about or cry about. My mother let me know everyday who I was and to never conform to anything that I wasn’t. My mother believed in me, loved me and respected the man I was becoming. My mother showed me everyday. I appreciate the sacrifices my mother made for me as a young black male, I never had to worry about anything. My mother always made a way.

All of the things I have accomplished today: AMPS Magazine, Youth & Unity, Miles with Marlene, Barnes Family Honey, Foxy Wine and the upcoming play, “ The Love of A Mother For Her Son” are all a part of my mother’s legacy. As I celebrate my mother’s birthday on November 13th 2024, I pay tribute to my mother for instilling in me the values I have and the foundation my mother built for me. My mother let me know everything is possible. My mother is my angel. Thank you…

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my Mother and Ms. Mon’et

Love Romeo

From a son to his mother…

DJ Coco Z

DJ Coco-Z is an open format DJ who embarked on her DJ journey in June 2010.This trailblazing Queen DJ has been mastering the art of turntablism with unparalleled dedication. She cemented her place in the DJ world in 2012 when she triumphed in both a blend battle and a scratch battle on the same night, being the only female DJ to compete and emerge victorious. As Dave Tolliver of Men At Large proclaimed, “Coco-Z is dat DEAL!!!”Now widely recognized as DJ Coco-Z, she brings nearly two decades of experience in music, dance, theater, and video production, complemented by a solid business acumen. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she made her FMradio debut in 2014 on 89.3 FM WCSB’s 21Sick Radio show at Cleveland State University. Today, DJ Coco-Z can be heard on over 10 different radio stations weekly, including 95.9 FM WOVU and Power 104.9 FM WTSX, with her syndicated hip-hop show, the Power Hour Mix show. Recently, she was added as a house DJ for The Grade A Club show on 97.9 FM in Atlanta, GA.

This dynamic Mix Mistress has dazzled audiences and mastered the turntables at more than 2,000 diverse events, including club appearances, private parties, corporate events, weddings, and youth events. DJ Coco-Z scored her first celebrity booking by opening for Latto during NCAA weekend in Cleveland, OH, on April 6, 2024. She excels in a wide range of musical genres, from Hip-Hop, Reggaeton, and Pop to Rap, Old School, and more. As Cleveland legend Suave Goddi of GMS Radio describes, “She’s Fly, She’s Fresh, She’s a DJ!” Dre of Menace Radio 216 adds, “It’s a crime to compare her to other female DJs... we just gonna say DJ!” DJ Coco-Z is affiliated with Nerve DJs, Fleet

DJs, Mean Girlz DJs, and more, solidifying her reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the DJ community. You can find DJ Coco-Z on all social media @DJCocoZ and check out her website at www.djcocoz.com

Living Legend

Charkia Campbell CEO of He Loves Curves Boutiques

Charkia Campbell is an Ohio Living Legend. Born and raised here, she has proven what hard work and determination will get you. In 2014 Charkia opened the boutique “He Loves Curves”. Armed with confidence, great business sense and a dynamic personality she set out to not only own her own business but to build her empire while helping other women build their confidence as well.

This Living Legend caters to women from size small to 6x. According to her website her vision is today and I don’t know help women feel confident and beautiful in their own skin by providing fashionable products and services that cater to their needs. She is ways willing to learn and improve and she is always one to give other entrepreneurs advise, mentorship and a chance. Today, He Loves Curves is the go to boutique for all occasions and if your looking to own a business, He Loves Curves is now a franchise! With multiple locations across the city. Charkia also hosts one of the largest Fashions Shows in the State of Ohio. Opening up opportunities for models, designers and other boutiques across the country. Having been diagnosed with Lupus a portion of the proceeds are donated to the Lupus Foundation.

Charkia continues to grow and reach out to others, always offering words of wisdom and inspiration. She is a wife, mother, author, motivational speaker and philanthropist. Her first book was, Thoughts of a Married Woman , she also wrote and founded, Here’s The Game, a business coaching module that helps new and current entrepreneurs achieve success.

Currently her Richmond location is also home to Vendetta’s Box and according to their page Vendettas Box is known for its unique co-op, where over 12 small businesses come together to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your needs.”

This Living Legend continues to strive for greatness…and the road is wide open. Please be sure to shop He Loves Curves online or at one of their locations.

SCAN WITH PHONE

Legendary Great

John Amos

BornJohn Allen Amos Jr. on December 37th 1939 in Newark New Jersey this Legendary Great would come to have an amazing legacy that would span decades. Before his acting career John had a career in Football. He played football at Colorado State University, he then went on to play for the Norfolk Neptune’s and signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. John left the Kansas City Chiefs to pursue his career in writing and became a copywriter for the Leslie Uggams Show. He later became a social worker in New York City. Eventually his love for acting took the lead in his career and he started as a standup comedian in Greenwich NY. He continued to pursue his acting career and landed roles on series such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and then Maude, playing the husband of Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) which then gave them the spin off of the iconic

series Good Times. This role made him a household name and will forever be the first melanated series that had a two parent household. After the series he landed the role of Kunta Kinete in the historic mini series Roots. Throughout his career he continued to make appearances in television and movies such as the movie, Coming to America and the series West Wing to name a few.

John was also an amazing stage actor playing in productions such as, Norman is that you ? Then in1985, the play “Split Second” earned him the NAACP Award as Best Actor.

During his life John married several times and had 3 children. This Legendary Great passed away August 21st 2024. Leaving behind a legacy of an incredible journey.

Legendary Great

Malcom X

This legendary Great was born Malcom Little on May 19th 1925. His early years were anything but easy. One of 8 children his life changed when his father was killed. His father (Earl Little) was an minister and activist who like Malcom was very vocal about his thoughts and feelings of injustice against melanated people; because of this the family had to move several times and to several different states for safety. His father was killed under mysterious circumstances and the family was never the same. His mother (Louise Little) became mentally ill and the children ended up in foster care. Malcom ended up dropping out of school and eventually turning to a life of crime. This led him to a stint in prison that introduced him to the Nation of Islam. This legendary Great had no idea the impact this would have on his life.

Once out of prison he became a prominent leader under the guidance of the Honorable Elijah Mohammad. Now a Minister Malcom X headed mosques in several cities. His following became great and the number of Muslims grew quickly. During the turbulent times of the 60’s while Martin Luther King called for “nonviolent” Malcom called for “ by whatever means necessary”. With his growing following was soon un-

der FBI surveillance. This how ever did not slow Malcom or his following down.

Then in 1963 Malcom took a trip to several places in Africa and in 1964 he took a trip to Mecca that changed his views on so many of the things he believed in. He saw Unity among many nationalities. His thoughts on the civil rights movement as well as the Nation of Islam changed as well. Cutting ties with the Nation of Islam, their teachings and Elijah Muhammed, Malcom began to follow the faith of Sunni Islam. He then started the Islamic Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Pan-African Organization of Afro-American Unity. While he received multiple death threats he continued his work fighting to empower the melanated people. Malcom who changed his name to el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, was assassinated (presumably by the Nation of Islam) on February 21st, 1965 while giving a speech in New York City.

Malcom X left behind his wife Betty Shabazz and six daughters to carry on his legacy. Today there are schools, streets, books, and movies about this Legendary Great. The Audubon Ballroom were he was assassinated has since been updated to house the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. This Legendary Great helped change the world we live in.

May 24-25, 2025

Searching for God

Life’s challenges often serve as a mirror, forcing us to confront our inner selves. In the depths of adversity, we unearth reservoirs of strength we never knew existed, gaining a profound understanding of our capabilities. Through introspection, we cultivate self-discipline, learning to navigate turbulent waters with grace and resilience.

In the quiet recesses of our souls, we discover a beacon of unwavering light – the essence of our being, the unshakeable core of our identity. This inherent ‘you-ness’ is a sanctuary, a refuge from the storms of life, a treasure no adversity can plunder.

Amidst the chaos, amidst the trials and tribulations, we often find solace in the most unexpected of places. In the whispers of the wind, the gentle embrace of a loved one, the fleeting beauty of a sunrise – there, in the subtle and the ordinary, we glimpse the divine. It is in these moments of profound connection that we find ‘God,’ not in the grandiose or the ostentatious, but in the quiet, the humble, the everyday.

Ultimately, life’s challenges beckon us to journey inward, to unearth the treasures hidden within our souls, and to find solace, strength, and divine presence in the most unlikely of places.

In the realm of traditional religion, we often encounter systems crafted by humanity, shaped by cultural, historical, and societal influences. These constructs, while offering guidance and solace to many, can sometimes feel distant or prescriptive. Yet, within the framework of personal introspection, we discover a God that transcends these constructs – a God intimately woven into the fabric of our existence.

This personalized encounter with the divine is a revelation of the purest essence of spirituality, untethered from the trappings of dogma or doctrine. It is a God not bound by the limitations of human interpretation but manifested in the depths of our own consciousness, in the silent spaces where our souls resonate with truth.

In this sacred journey of self-discovery, we come to realize that the most divine expression of God is not found in the confines of tradition, but in the expansiveness of our own hearts. It is a God of boundless love, compassion, and understanding – a God who meets us where we are, regardless of creed or denomination.

In embracing this deeply personal connection with the divine, we find liberation from the constraints of religious orthodoxy, and instead, discover a profound sense of spiritual freedom. It is here, in the sanctuary of our own souls, that we encounter the true essence of God – a divine presence that transcends the

confines of human understanding, and illuminates the path to inner peace and enlightenment.

Love, the core of introspection, revealed itself fully when I unintentionally delved into a journey of self-discovery. While many pursue Nirvana, the pinnacle of peace and joy, I chanced upon it amid my darkest hours. It’s a journey illuminated by self-awareness, embracing every aspect, every shadow, and every light within oneself.

As I delve into the depths of my being, I confront my inner demons, those whispered insecurities and fears that lurk in the corners of my consciousness. Yet, in facing them, I discover a reservoir of compassion, a wellspring of acceptance that begins with me.

As I delved into the depths of my being, I confronted my inner demons, those whispered insecurities and fears that lurked in the corners of my consciousness. Yet, in facing them, I discovered a reservoir of compassion, a wellspring of acceptance that began with me.

And in that sacred space of self-awareness, I found a love that transcended the self – a love that saw beyond flaws and imperfections, embracing the beauty of each soul I encountered. It was a love that whispered of something greater, something divine.

Indeed, this purest form of love feels like a glimpse of the divine, the essence of “God” – the creator who weaves through the tapestry of existence, connecting us all in a web of unconditional love and understanding.

I present to you “Searching For God,” a column aimed at illustrating that God resides within each of us and in everything around us. I hope these tales of introspection and self-awareness serve as a guide for recognizing the diverse manifestations of God and offer therapeutic support for those who wish to share their stories or resonate with the experiences shared by our writers.

I encounter God in every smile, in the soothing melody of water caressing sand, and in the vibrant hues of paint adorning canvas. I’ve discovered God in the deepest, darkest corners of myself, where my nightmares sought refuge, my insecurities slumbered, and my triggers awaited their moments to shine. It’s a place we all harbor, hidden from the world and even from ourselves – the sole hell we’ll ever endure. Let’s not allow fear, uncertainty, or complacency to deter us from the refining fires that can transform us into the purest gold, our heaven on earth. “Searching for God” will delve into the struggles and triumphs of people from all walks of life, aiming to uncover the shared humanity

All Eyes On You Hair & Nail Salon

If your looking for a salon that specializes in growing and maintaining healthy natural hair look no further than ALL EYES ON YOU HAIR & NAIL SALON located on Lee Rd in Cleveland. The owner Missy, has established herself as one of the best stylist in Cleveland to keep your crowning glory looking amazing. With passion and flare she helps by keeping your hair healthy. Whether it’s a silk press or protective style she is your go to.

As a melanated female business owner in the beauty industry, Missy has many young girls and women that lookup to her and the example she is setting for them to follow. Her reputation as a leader, entrepreneur, boss, and stylist is impeccable. Her clients and patrons of the salon all give her and the salon high praise on the warm and inviting feeling in the salon as well as the outstanding services that are offered at the salon. Everything from brows and lashes, hair weaving to natural

styles, Missy and her team of stylists receive rave reviews. The one thing that all of the customers agreed upon is that Missy and the stylists care about their customers and their healthy hair journey.

Missy and her team can be found at

All Eyes on You Hair & Nail Salon 4090 Lee Rd Cleveland, Ohio 44128

within us all. May our contributors find liberation from the burdens of emotion and memories, and may readers discover solace in shared experiences and inspiration from triumphant strength. Ultimately, may this journey calm the ego and enable us to truly see one another, recognizing the magnificent of the divine within us all. Continued from 32

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MISSING CHILDREN

Let’s continue to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to finding our missing children Children across the nation continues to disappear. It takes all of us to bring them home safely.

Let’s do our part.