Louisiana Volume 1, Issue 4

LOUISIANA EDITION

AMPS MAGAZINE American Minority People Succeeding

What They Don’t Want You To Know

The Corey Borner Story Councilwoman

Kema Dawson

TERISA

GRIFFIN

Volume 1, Issue 4 Page 1 www.la.ampsmagazine.com

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Personal injury and Criminal cases

contents VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

What’s Inside...

The Corey Borner Story ............. 5 Terisa Griffin ............................... 6 Tha Bookshelf ............................. 9 849 Cruisers Trail Ride ............ 14 Jasmine Harris ......................... 17 What They Don’t Want You To Know .......................................... 19 Councilwoman Kema Dawson ... 21

I asked what kind of family Amina wanted. She said, ‘A family like yours.’

That’s when I knew I had to adopt her.

Denise, adopted 17-year-old Amina

the AMPS Monroe Team

Publisher

Connie Morgan

Editor

Brittany Gardenhi Delores Thornton

Contributing Photographer WELCHinc photography Kita Wright Connie Morgan

Graphic Designer Gerald Wright

LEARN ABOUT ADOPTING A TEEN YO U C A N ’ T I M AG I N E T H E R E WA R D

A D O P T U S K I D S .O R G

AMPS Monroe is a franchise of AMPS Magazine, a national publication, with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. This magazine is published bi-monthly.

AMPS MAGAZINE CORPORATE Orlando, Florida 33837 Page 317-426-7790

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A WORD FROM THE CEO This is the fourth issue of AMPS Magazine, Louisiana Edition. I wanted to take this time to introduce to you, the reader, about AMPS. A.M.P.S. (American-Minority People Succeeding) 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 Page 4

from the publisher T

aking over a publication is never an easy feat, but it is very rewarding. As we embrace 2020, we are ready for the many changes that comes along with growing a magazine that is dedicated to the community in Monroe.

Our passion for reporting the news about the communities in and around Monroe is the heartbeat of AMPS Louisiana Magazine. We strive to tell the stories about unsung heroes in our community and about artists, be they actors, writers, musicians or entertainers. With that, we know the importance of building alliances with individuals who can and will help us continue our growth. You, too, can contribute to our growth and development in bringing articles about our community. For more information about advertising with AMPS Louisiana Magazine, please reach out to me at connie@ampsmagazine.com or call 214-937-9041.

We have amazing advertising opportunities to help you grow your business and support the community. You can also subscribe to AMPS Louisiana Magazine and get your copy delivered directly to your door.

Thank you for your continued support.

Connie Morgan

The Corey Borner Story A Motivational Story

C

orey Borner is a native of Texas. He was born in Dallas, Texas and his family moved to DeSoto, Texas when he was in the 5th grade. DeSoto is a suburb right outside of Dallas, Texas; approximately 16 miles from Dallas. Corey has always been active in sports, especially football. He played the defensive position of cornerback. Corey graduated from DeSoto high school in 2011, and after that he attended Cedar Valley College to further his education. He majored in social arts and graduated in 2017. Corey is now attending University of North Texas (UNT) of Dallas and will graduate this fall. In his spare time outside of class, he is a motivational speaker and he is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.

On May 6, 2009, Corey Borner was 16 years old going into his sophomore year at DeSoto High School, he was injured at football practice and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed. It was just another normal spring day when he left home to go to football practice. He told his mom that he was leaving and would be back later. Corey arrived at practice and everything was going well. After a while he told his coach that he wanted to play, so the coach put him in. A play was called and the receiver caught the ball. Corey ran toward the receiver with his head down, but his head was down a little too low. When he and the receiver made contact Corey fell down and immediately he realized that he could not move anything from the neck down. Corey’s teammates were standing over him congratulating him on a good hit not realizing what had happened. He said no matter how hard he tried to get up he just could not move. Corey was rushed to a local hospital and had to have Check out website

surgery. His surgery took about nine hours and when he woke up he saw his picture on the news. Corey did not know what was going on or why he was on TV. When the doctor came in to talk to him, Corey was told that he suffered a C-5 and C-6 spinal cord injury. He was not prepared or ready to accept that knowledge, and it took him a full year to accept the fact that he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. After Corey’s surgery, he had people like Deon Sanders and other professional athletes that stopped by to visit, motivating and encouraging him.

After quite a few therapy sessions Corey was ready to go back to school, but his family wanted him to home school. Corey did not want to home school and was determined to get back into the classroom. After Corey’s graduation DeSoto High School decided to retire his football jersey (#24) in 2013. Corey believes God has a plan for everyone. Even though Corey was only 16 years old when his life changing injury happened and he never got the opportunity to do the things that he loved to do. Corey still believed that God had a plan for him and he grew to learn and accept his new life changes. When Corey’s injury happened, he was wondering what his plan B was going to be. Ellis Hobs and Tim Brown asked him how much was he worth? So, Corey turned to God and asked, “What do you have planned for me now? Since my football career is gone. Is motivational speaking my new calling?” So in 2010, Corey started publicly speaking and really began to get serious with it by 2012. That same year he started taking classes to better prepare for his new path. He wanted to let people know not to give up just because you are in a wheelchair. He also wanted to tell people that there is still life and hope in everything you do.

In 2009, a lady named Pam Deborde who was the athletic director at DeSoto High school ordered some wristbands for Corey. She surprised Corey with black and white wristbands that said little Corey, it had his jersey number on it, and the words “Find A Way” on it. After receiving that gift it pushed Corey to keep going. It also makes Corey feel good because his wristbands are encouraging people and the wristbands Continued on Page 11

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COVER STORY

Terisa Griffin T

erisa Griffin was born on August 25, in Monroe, Louisiana. Being the second daughter of four musically inclined girls, Terisa knew at the early age of five that she had a passion and talent for music and singing.

She spent majority of her childhood living in Monroe and she attended and graduated from Northeastern Louisiana University while on a music scholarship. Her voice and her God-given talent earned her the nickname “Empress of Soul” and since graduation, Terisa has really taken off in the music industry.

After graduation, Terisa decided to seek a change of scenery by moving to Chicago to learn from some of the greats and work on her musical career. While there Terisa crossed paths with a man named Jerry “Ice Man” Butler. Onenight Jerry heard Terisa performing his song and he hired her on the spot. Terisa felt really blessed to have been mentored by him and she would watch what he did and how he did things when performing. Ice Man was so down to earth that he made Terisa feel comfortable and she did her best to never disappoint him. Terisa wanted Ice Man to be proud of her and it was a true honor to be mentored by him. Terisa also had the opportunity to be mentored by the late Bernie Mac. Those two people made a significant difference in Terisa’s life and she was so very grateful to them both.

Terisa gained national exposure singing backup for Diana Ross on an “Oprah” telecast. Terisa was ecstatic

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Revival of Soul

and it was truly an honor to be asked to do this. Diana was amazing and a joy to work with. When it comes to performing and working with people, Terisa wants people to know, “I don’t want to give anybody anything that’s not my naked soul. You can stack all these things with other things, but nothing is going to make you move like an instrument until someone is showing their naked soul.”

Terisa created the program Better Love Yourself in order to give back to kids and help them get the items they need in order to be successful in college. Terisa wants to help children and their parents who are having a hard time buying items for college and making ends meet. This program is for kids who did not receive a scholarship or any other type of funding, so they applied to my program and were able to get help through there. Those kids can be proud of themselves and say I took the time to apply and I won this. It is a self-esteem builder, a need being filled, and hopefully a day of love put together for these kids. That is what this program is all about. If I could do anything, it would be to create a big event to help promote education and sending kids to college. It would be just one day of everybody celebrating our kids and their education. That is my dream. This year we gave away computers only because we could not give away trunks filled with items needed for college due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

Terisa wants to leave readers with this statement, “We are allowed to take space in this world and what you leave behind should be a gift. It should be that you gave from your soul for humanity or to make someone else’s life better. Without my fans, I would not have anything.

Thank you for a wonderful life! I hope I have given you as much love and beauty as you have given me. I will never stop trying to give you what you ask for!”

Find Terisa on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/terisa.griffin Check out her website at: https://www.terisagriffin.com/

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Tha Bookshelf

Yes! We Are Twins, But We Are Different

by Tyrell Smith

Seven year old Tyrell Smith gives us a glimpse of the life of someone living with autism. His twin brother, Tyrese was diagnosed a few years ago and Tyrell explains how it has affected him and other members of his family. We have heard from parents, doctors, teachers, behavioral therapists and others. Now, Tyrell speaks as someone who lives with the pains and joys of his brother.

Overly protective, Tyrell speaks of his brother enjoying sports and music. He explains the medications and special diet Tyrese adheres to. He even mentions the fact that his brother gets frustrated by loud noises and how he doesn’t adapt well to change.

Various Autism Awareness groups have embraced, Yes! We Are Twins, But We Are Different. Additionally, the book has been introduced to several elementary schools in Indianapolis and local and national men’s organizations are promoting Tyrell and his book.

Tyrell Smith attends Andrew J. Brown Academy (Indy) and enjoys reading, writing, action figures, sports, acting, modeling, theater, You Tube, and just being a kid.

He has been featured in commercials, print, fashion shows, stage plays, and film.

To purchase copies or to schedule speaking engagements contact: tyrellntyrese317@gmail.com.

Price $13.00.

Delores Thornton, Author, Publisher, Film Maker, and Spoken Word Artist.

Thornton previously reviewed books for AMPS Magazine and is now ready to offer this service to authors and book lovers everywhere via Tha Book Shelf. She will review books in just about all genres.

Contact: delores910@yahoo.com

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Tha Bookshelf

The Meaning By: Connie Morgan

Darnell Whittington is a native of Louisiana. He was born in Delhi, Louisiana and lived in Rayville, Louisiana for seven years until his family moved to Monroe, Louisiana.

Darnell was quite active during his time in high school. He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Students and Athletes. He ran cross-country, did the long jump in track, and he played the position of strong safety in football as well. Darnell graduated from Ouachita high school in 1997.

Darnell has been writing for about ten years, and he has written seven books including his latest book titled The Meaning. Darnell was eighteen years old when he decided to write his first book. He began writing in high school after a classmate was tragically killed in a car accident. The only way he could express how he felt was to write it down on paper. One day he just started writing about how he felt, and the finished product was a beautiful poem about this person who lost their life at a young age. Darnell shared the poem with only one person, and that person told him how good it was. The person he shared it with decided to photo copy the poem and started passing the poem out around the whole school. It brought hope, and that was the first time that he knew the written power of the word.

Darnell felt the best way to tell his children about his life, his father’s life, and his grandfather’s life was to write it all down and put it into a book for them to read. There is one thing that Darnell believes about the written word; and that is how we live it. The word can go places that he has never been, the word will speak to people that Darnell cannot reach, and the word will live on. Writing a book can make an impact on someone that you may never know. All of the tough questions that we have about life can point us in one direction and to one answer. That answer is Jesus Christ. This book, The Meaning, was birthed from a conversation I had with a young man who had lost his way, and he was very skeptical about Christianity. This young man had gone through some tough times in his life and he was just really bitter. He posed a lot of questions that he knew a lot of people would struggle to answer. Darnell was able to answer some of them, but the young man kept asking more and more questions. There are people out there that really struggle with questions that they do not have the answers to. If I can look at some of these questions and

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try to address them maybe I can help someone. The whole purpose of this book is to help people understand knowledge and wisdom better. I want the readers to understand how to value life, how to live life, and to value life more than anything. I want them to understand where we go once this life is finished, and what we are supposed to learn while we are here on earth. One of the main points of the book is that life is very valuable. Sadly, we live in a society where some people think life is invaluable. Before taking someone else’s life some people will take their own life. Some people value cats, dogs, and other animals over a human’s life without understanding how valuable a human life is.

Darnell wants people to look at the title and subtitle of the book, and he wants them to know that life has meaning that their own life has meaning. In addition, what he plans to communicate to readers is hope. If you know that your life has a purpose and your life has a meaning then you will have hope. No matter what struggle you are facing and no matter what things you have to overcome there is hope.

There is hope because your life does have meaning. Darnell’s motivation is to give hope to others. The right words can bring hope to people, so when he writes, he writes in hope that he can fulfill his purpose and do God’s work.

Darnell wants to bring hope and guidance to people who are lost, struggling, and just going through hard times. The best way to become successful is while other people are sleeping; you need to be up dreaming. If you want to be successful and reach your dreams you are going to have to do things that others are not willing not do. That is called sacrifice. Many people out there are not willing to sacrifice what it takes to do certain things. You have to seek God for directions and answers. You may deal with rejection and a lot of different things but do not let it stop you or sway you.

The stress of life may get in the way, but you have to stay focused. Do not giving up because if you stick with it and push through you will eventually win.

Purchase his book from amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Darnell-Whittington-ebook/dp/B07S1BSQYY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=the+meaning+darnell+whittington&qid=1599764647&sr=8-4 Check out his website: https://www.christianfaithpublishing.com Follow him on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/darnell.whittington

Continued from Page 5

cause people to think of him and the positivity he brings when they are worn. Corey has always been close to God, but after his injury he has gotten even closer to Him. Corey wants to leave readers with this message, “You are going to have negative vibes in your life, so take those negative vibes and use them. When someone tells you that you cannot do something use that as motivation not to prove them wrong, but to prove to yourself that you can do it. The positive outweighs the negative, so take that and use it to your advantage.� Corey will forever love the game of football no matter the outcome he was given while playing the game.

Follow Corey on social media at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100008157877480 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreyborner24 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LILCOREY_TRILL

#79 Page 11

Tha Bookshelf From Pain to Purpose God’s Visions Ministry

T

his ministry has long been a driving force for the community for many years. The CEO of the group is Brother Cleo Camphor from the city of Indianapolis, Indiana. His love and devotion for helping people is one of a kind.

Brother Cleo was inspired to help senior citizens and the youth of his community and surrounding areas. He encourages the youth to stay in school and to do their best.

Brother Cleo believes many people do not have a desire to care for and honor the elderly community.

God’s Visions Ministry wants to be able to help and honor every senior citizen. This ministry has greatly grown over the years, and it will continue to do so in the future with God in control. God’s Visions Ministry is composed of many members; including people from all over the country.

People from Indiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Georgia, California, and even New York. The list goes on and on, but all the members have the same purpose in mind. To honor worthy seniors and to lead young people in the right direction.

God’s Visions Ministry has established a Mississippi region under the leadership of Dr. James and Dr. Mary Waldrop in the city of Ruleville, MS. Over the years, our ministry has grown, and we continue to seek out worthy people we can honor. This group has kept the faith in God, this is our number one factor, keeping God first. God has allowed Brother Cleo to team up with so many good people so that the dream of honoring God’s people can be fulfilled. Brother Cleo Camphor

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By: Cleo Camphor

has made this a lifelong journey, helping and honoring people. His story can be told in his latest book: From Pain to Purpose. He has obtained many awards and you can purchase his book on Amazon. Sister Sheri from Indiana is Brother Cleo’s Co-Host on the God’s Visions Ministry Prayer Line. She also helps in visiting and ministering to the sick. The Prayer Line Number is (515) 604-9642 and the pin code is 756893#.

Members of the Vision

Bro. (CEO) Cleo & Gloria Camphor - Indiana Evangelist Dorothy Baker - Detroit Michigan Dr. James & Dr. Mary Waldrop - Mississippi Evangelist Johnetta Powell - Chicago, ILL Bro. Sean Baker - Detroit, Michigan Anthony & Stella Bradley - Detroit, Michigan Dr. Carl Thompson - Indiana Eld. N. C. Bolton - Indiana Pastor Kenneth Gilbert - Indiana Pastor Charles Taylor - Indiana Dr. Joe C. Smith- Mississippi Sis. Lucy Hawkins- Indiana Sis. Sheri Taylor - Indiana Minister Reginald & Sharon Hurns - Mississippi Pastor Ruben C. McKenzie - Indiana Bishop Dan Peach - Chicago, ILL Bro. Scott Mayfield - Indiana Bro. Steven Carter - Indianapolis, IND Sis. Kimberly Green _ Louisville, KY Pastor Vincent Green Louisville, KY Sis. Angela Robinson Greenwood, IND. Sis. Solonia Williams Roy and Ruby Anderson - Indianapolis, IND. Ron McKenzie Indiana Maxine Cooper - Indiana Elder Gilbert – Indiana Mary Shingles Freddie Harris Yvone Chiles _ Hephcibah Ga

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849 Cruisers Trail Ride O

n Saturday, October 3, 2020 Jermain Thompson a member of the 849 cruisers hosted a trail ride in Columbia, Louisiana. Jermain’s family has been hosting this event for about twenty-five years. They had a variety of different things to do at this trail ride including ATV’s, mud rides, and horse races. First place through third place trophies were awarded for Walker Horses, Saddlebred, and Standardbred. Jermain also gave out trophies for the two-mile Endurance Breed, Best Dressed Club, Best Dress Couple, and Women’s Sprint Race. People love the events of the trail ride horse races because of the trophies and the bragging rights. People from the surrounding areas as far away as Dallas and Arkansas came out to join the event. People even in towns close by like Winnsboro, Coushatta, Monroe, Rayville, and Ville Platte came out as well to participate. The trail ride started when Jermain was a little boy and his parents alone with a few others started a group called “The Wild Bunch”. The group never grew so Jermain’s parents decided to start going to trail rides and after a while they decided to start hosting their own. His family was the first to host trail rides in Columbia. Sadly, this was the first year that Jermain did not have his parents beside him hosting this event. His mom passed away a few years ago and due to the uncertainty and dangerousness of COVID-19 his dad did not want to be out around a lot of people. So, it was up to Jermain to continue the family tradition alone this year. He was surprised to see the size of the crowd this year with everything going on with the pandemic.

He and the other volunteers did not expect a large turnout at all this year. In the past the trail ride has been the last week of July, but because of the pandemic they were forced to push the date back to October. Jermain would like to thank everyone who came out to support and show love at this event. He also truly appreciates how everyone conducted themselves in such a great manner.

Trophies were presented to the following guests: • Bayilon Blanson came in 1st place in Standardbred • Bryron Jefferson came in 3rd place in walking horse race • Cartez Walker came in 3rd place in two-mile Endurance race • Christina Nash won the Women’s Sprint Race • Eric “Rook” Davis won first place for Walking Horse.

• Jaylon White won 3rd place in Saddlebred race • Roland Wilson won first place for Saddlebred sprint.

• Roland Wilson and his wife Chandra Wilson won best dress couple • Racked Up Riders got a trophy for most members • TTG Riders got a trophy for best-dressed group.

Scan for website

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Jasmine Harrison Recent Graduate

J

asmine Harrison is a native of Monroe, Louisiana. Jasmine attended West Monroe high school from 2016 to 2020.

She graduated in July of 2020 with a 4.0 GPA. Jasmine loves helping others. It makes her feel good knowing that she can help someone else. She got a scholarship and is now attending University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). She is majoring in biology. Jasmine plans on going to medical school in the future because she plans on becoming a cardiologist. Jasmine chose ULM because it was closer to home and she is not ready to move far from home just yet. Good luck Jasmine! We are proud of you and look forward to seeing you do great things in the future.

Photographer: Vincent Butler

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For Information 3105 Franklin Street Monroe, La. 71201 Page 18

What They Don’t Want You To Know

By: China Doll

C

onnie’s mother had been in and out of nursing homes for the past 13 years. When her mother had a bad experience with one nursing home, Connie would move her to another home thinking she would get different results. Her mother started having epileptic seizures as a young child, and she was diagnosed with dementia in 2009. In 2012, Connie moved her mother back home to Monroe, Louisiana from Dallas, Texas and tried to take care of her herself. It is hard enough for one person to live off a fixed income, but it is even harder to manage with two people.

It was not easy to do alone, so in 2013 she did the only thing that she thought was best for her mother. She decided to put her back into a nursing home, Ouachita Healthcare and Rehab. She did not expect that facility to be perfect, but they should be held

accountable when their patients and residents are being mistreated. For example, when dirty clothes are not being washed, patient’s dishes are not being cleaned up, and the patient’s bed sheets are not being changed. There were several times where Connie’s mother was not being changed in a timely manner. On one occasion, Connie’s mother was wet to the point to where it had soaked through her clothes. Connie started complaining after she noticed that her mother’s clothes were piling up and not being taken to the laundry to be washed. But no matter how much she complained the problem never got resolved. She spoke to everyone from the administrator, Director of Nursing D.O.N, and even the Assistant Director of Nursing A. D.O.N. When that did not work, she reached out to the Ombudsman on duty to try to get the problem resolved. After that, meeting things seemed to get better and Connie decided to move back to Dallas.

A short time later Connie decided to go visit her mother and while there, she found a coffee cup sitting on the bookshelf with molded coffee in it. She found dirty diapers mixed in with her mother’s dirty clothes, and she has even found a dirty diaper on the top of the bathroom sink. Connie’s mother was in a wheelchair and could not walk or get up without assistance, so she knew that her mother was not the one leaving the dirty diapers everywhere. Connie had threatened to go public with the way

her mother was being treated hoping that would spark a change and that her mother would be better taken care of. Well, in November of 2018 Connie went home to Monroe for the Thanksgiving holiday and took her mother out of the nursing home for a few days so they could spend Thanksgiving together. A week prior to that, Connie received a phone call from one of her mother’s nurses informing her that they noticed her mother had a bruise on her left leg. When Connie looked at her mother’s left leg and saw that it was covered with bruises, some of them new and some of them old. She asked the staff at the nursing home about the bruises, no one could give her a solid answer. She was given many excuses of why her mother’s leg had been covered in bruises. One excuse being that it was her blood thinning medication causing the bruises. After Connie complained about the hygiene of her mother and the bruises on her mother’s leg, a family member advised her to stop complaining so much before something even worse happened. Connie’s last resort was to move back to Monroe, take her mother out of that nursing home, and try to take care of her the best way she knew how. So, on December 17, 2018 she did just that. Shortly after on December 23 her mother had a seizure and had to be hospitalized. While in the hospital, the doctors caring for Connie’s mother wanted to know why she was on so much medication.

They even questioned some of the medications that her mother was on. Her mother was over-medicated, and this caused her to sleep a lot due to the conflicting medications the nursing home had her taking. Connie’s mother stayed in the hospital for a total of 8 days in order to flush all the medications from her system.

Connie worked in a nursing home for almost two years in Mesquite, Texas as a patient driver. She saw first-hand how some of the patients and residents were being treated. She said she’s learned a few thing over the years with her mother being in and out of nursing homes. She said if you have someone in a nursing home, you have the right to request a copy of the medication that they are taking. You should request that list at least once a month. Make sure that the medication list matches what they are telling you that they are taking. If you do not understand what the medications are and what they do please google them, call to speak to a pharmacist, or go in person to your local pharmacy to find out. Make sure that you go visit as often as you can, and never go visit at the same time each visit. Make sure one of the days you go visit falls on Continued on Page 21

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Councilwoman Kema Dawson

ema Dawson-Robinson was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. From 1993 through 1997 Kema attended Neville High School. During her time at Neville High School Kema participated in a few different organizations. She was a member of Renaissance, the Band, and the Clean Team. Upon graduation, Kema received a scholarship in vocal music which she used to attend University of Monroe (ULM). While at ULM Kema participated in Student Government Association. She felt called to help out her peers and wanted to help make their voices heard. She graduated from ULM with a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration focused on computer information systems.

Kema is also currently studying to earn her Doctor of Biblical Exposition. Kema was sworn in as councilwoman for District 5 of the city of Monroe in July of 2020.

Growing up Kema always noticed her parents helping others. Kema’s father was a politician, so helping others and being there for others runs in Kema’s blood. Kema believes it is most important to help those in need, take care of the city, and working to achieve the greater good. Kema believes it is more important to reach those goals than to be interested in politics. She saw a need in the community that she grew up in. Not only that, but Kema choose to continue live in the same community that she grew up in. She realized that the city can be so much better and have so much more if it is managed and run properly. Being the Executive Director at the Ouachita Multi-Purpose Community Action Program allows Kema to assist people in the Parish daily. She felt that she could meet more needs and reach more people being a council member. Kema plans to do whatever she can to better her community and meet the needs of those living in the community.

Kema is a Christian and a strong believer in Christ. She believes that the word of God is true. The word tells us to give and it shall be given unto you; so Kema’s main goal is to give back to her community. Kema is currently working to beautify and revitalize the Southside of Monroe. Her biggest project is the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. Kema has been working along with the Zoo, the Zoological Society, and Monroe’s Director of community affairs to make Monroe’s Zoo a place where families can be entertained and enjoy a nice outing. Residents should expect nothing but Kema’s best now and in the future. She is committed to making our city a beautiful place that residents are proud to call home.

Find Kema on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ kema.dawson

Continued from Page 19

a weekend. Do as much research as you can on the nursing home by going on their website and reading the comments and reviews. If you go to the courthouse in the city where the nursing home is you can see if the nursing home has been sued, how many times they have been sued, and the reasons they have been sued. A lot of times nursing homes will settle out of court to keep people quiet, and they will ask the judge to place a gag order so that you cannot talk about what happened. You have the right to document if you see something out of place or mistreatment of the patients.

Documentation includes photographs, videos, or contracts that have been signed by both parties. Otherwise, without the documentation, it will be your word against theirs, and while you are fighting this battle, alone the nursing home staff and their management will stick together. You are able record conversations if the conversation is about you or the person in interest. Make sure that while you are recording you put date and time stamps on everything.

People put their loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities because they trust that their loved ones will be taken care of by trained, certified, and professional individuals. Connie is not saying that everyone who works in nursing homes are bad or that they mistreat people, because there are some good ones out there. This issue is something Connie has wanted to address and go public with for a long time now, but she was fearful of what would happen to her mother if she did. Connie’s mother passed away April 15, 2020. Connie says she does not have to worry about anyone taking his or her anger out on her due to her speaking out.

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LAWD HAV MERCY

S

arah Elizabeth Andrew is a model, Registered Nurse, and actress. She was born in Monterey, California but she moved to Florida when she was three and a half years old. Sara was raised mostly by her mother due to her father’s passing when she was just five years old. She completed her college education in Collegedale, Tennessee. After graduating college Sarah worked as a nurse and still continues to do so now. She got the inspiration to pursue a medical career from her brother. She watched him go into the medical field and she noticed how much he loved it and how much of a difference he made and it really helped her hand pick the path she is on today.

The rapid increase of positive cases of COVID-19 forced Sarah into the frontlines to battle a virus that not many people knew about or had effective treatment. Seeing this first hand made Sarah realize just how lucky she is and showed her just how important it is to keep your loved ones close. Sarah wants readers to know just how important it is that you take every precaution you can.

Washing your hands frequently, wearing your masks, and keeping six feet or more in distance from others to keep yourself and your loved ones out of harm’s way.

When asked about some of her favorites Her favorite food is kale, favorite celebrity is Idris Elba, favorite female crush is Shan Boodram, and favorite music genre is R&B and classic soul. She loves to go to the park and enjoys the adrenaline rush she gets when on roller coasters. She has the ambition to travel overseas preferably Spain and Europe, but the two places she wants to visit most is London, England or Paris, France. One of the most interesting facts about Sarah is that she is a poet. She started writing poems when she was a young child and it has stuck with her ever since. Poetry helps Sarah ex-

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Sarah Andrews

plore and release her feelings more easily than trying to speak about them.

Sarah has believed in and lived by these words of wisdom that were shared with her at a young age by her mom. Her mother told her to always, “Pray and proceed.”

Her mother told her whenever she is struggling with something to hand it over to God by praying and then to proceed with life. There is no use in harboring on things that are out of your control so the best thing you can do is to release it and carry on with your life. Doing this will help you succeed in every step of life.

Sarah gives all the credit of her life achievements and success to her beloved mom. Without her mother’s push and encouragement Sarah would not be where she is today.

Sarah is very grateful and blessed to have had someone like her mother in her corner.

Sarah wanted to leave young female readers with this, “Your focus will be on one thing at a young age, but it changes with time. Don’t worry and don’t cry for one guy as a relationship changes. Change your mindset and move forward to establish your life and career.”

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AMPS MAGAZINE of MONROE Connie Morgan, Publisher CSM Marketing Company, LLC

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American Minority People Succeeding