Louisiana Volume 1, Issue 6

LOUISIANA EDITION

Volume 1, Issue 6

Negro Baseball League AMPS MAGAZINE American Minority People Succeeding

Page 1 www.la.ampsmagazine.com

Been injured or caught in a bind.

Get Twine on the line.

ANTWINE Law 637 St. Ferdinand Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Phone: 225.383.7800 Fax: 225.372.2810 antwinelaw@yahoo.com

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Firm, LLC Personal injury and Criminal cases

contents

WHAT TO

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6

EXPECT

What’s Inside...

®

WHEN YOU’ RE EXPECTING

Lead By Faith, Not By Sight....... 8 Don’t Forget Where You At!..... 10 Student of the Year.................... 11 You ​grow​ ​girl! ............................ 12 Richwood High School............. 13 Carroll Bulldogs vs Bearkats.... 15 Lady Spartans vs Cougars........ 17 Principal Alvin Fields, Jr. ......... 18 Model, Natalie Jones................. 20

A TEENAGER

the AMPS Monroe Team

Publisher

Connie Morgan

Binge-Watching

Editors

Brittany Gardenhi Rihanna Thomas Cheantez Fairldy Kingston Davis

B

ut it’s okay if you doze off during Episode 3, because you don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. Thousands of teens in foster care will love you just the same.

Contributing Photographer WELCHinc photography Connie Morgan

Graphic Designer Gerald Wright

Cover Art work by Kadir Nelson

AdoptUSKids.org 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

3

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A WORD FROM THE CEO

This is the sixth issue of AMPS Magazine, Louisiana Edition. I wanted to thank each and every one of you for reading this magazine and making it one of the fastest growing magazines in the south for 2020/2021. We are touching the lives of people who we did not even know we would and inspire even a culture that we were unaware. This publication is called A.M.P.S. (American-Minority People Succeeding) for a reason. It 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 event 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 are Accomplished By Making You Successful.”

Gerald D. Wright Page CEO 4

from the publisher T

aking over a publication is never an easy feat, but it is very rewarding. As we embrace 2021, 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

SO CAN YOU.

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Sergeant Andre Marshall

A

ndre Marshall was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Corey, Louisiana. Andre played defensive end on his high school football team during his senior year. He was also a member of the track and field team where he competed in the shot-put event. Andre enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard his junior year in high school, and by the end of the school year he went to boot camp. Soon after he graduated, he went off to advanced individual training (AIT). Andre served eight years in the Louisiana National Guard and after that he chose to enlist in active duty.

Andre’s first assignment was in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was going to be stationed there from June 2004 until April 2008. After completing his assignment at Fort Bragg, he went to Hawaii and was stationed there from May 2008 until May 2011. Andre’s current rank is Sergeant First Class. Andre is awaiting the results from the promotion board to see if he made his next rank, which is E-8.

The Interview AMPS: Why did you enlist in the military?

Andre: At that time, I did not have much giddiness, and I did not know what I wanted to do. I just wanted to have options. Getting out of school, I knew I did not want to jump right back into school. I just wanted to do something to have a trade.

AMPS: How long have you been in the service?

Andre: I have been in service for 24 years.

AMPS: How hard is it being in the military and having a family?

Andre: Well, it is not easy at all. It can get rough sometimes and it takes its toll. My wife is in the navy and she is currently serving in active duty. She is usually gone somewhere else while I am in Central Washington, so it is a touchy transition. It is hard for the kids because they are constantly being uprooted. They are trying to get re-established not only in a different city but having to meet all new people. It is also hard trying to find the best area to live in and trying to find the best schools.

AMPS: How often do you get to go back home to visit?

Andre: It has been a while. The last time I went back home to visit was in 2016 when my little brother passed away. I have to base it off when I can get leave or go on vacation. It also depends on when my wife can take time off. Being in two different branches of service, you have to work it out between the two.

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AMPS: What would you tell a young person who is thinking about going into the service?

Andre: Always keep your options open. Ensure that you are well disciplined because that is a big part of being in the military. They purposely will yell and fuss at you to see how you maintain your cool under pressure, because at the end of training you may get called to go to a combat zone.

You are going to have be making on the spot decisions so I would honestly say for young people just coming out of high school find your passion first. The military has a lot to offer and a lot of fields that you can get into to better yourself.

They have all sort of trades, certifications, etc. Just make sure that you always keep your options open and never rule anything out. Try to keep an open mind.

Thank You for Your Service!

COVER STORY

A Look Back On The Monroe Monarchs

by: Rihanna Thompson

What did the baseball glove say to the ball? “Catch ya later!” No seriously. In a creative effort to maintain the“educational facts” momentum during Black History Month, I want to touch base on how much sports contributed to a good chunk of my very own home town, Monroe, Louisiana’s, history. As I meditated on which vigorous activity to elaborate on, the notion of a baseball kept getting bigger and bigger, until it hit me! Ladies and gentleman, researchers and scholars, may I introduce : The Monroe Louisiana Monarchs!

1. The Start of It All

They were organized by Fred Alonzo Stovall, a Dallas, Texas scholar, who developed his own oil drilling operation after disconnecting from Spindletop , a pre-established oil refinery in Jefferson County, Texas. He eventually went on to create a recreational center , Casino Park, in Monroe, La , that housed not only a baseball field, but a swimming pool and more.

Shortly after he became the capitalizer of the Negro Southern League.

other accomplished connections out of state in Missouri, this fraction of the Negro Leagues has exceeded above all expectations. And with grace, to conclude this historical fragment, I am excited to declare that as of Wednesday, December 16th, 2020, Negro League Baseball has been adjudged a Major League. Their success is truly out of the park.

2. Brief Insight

Occasionally located on Renwick Street here inMonroe, the Monroe Louisiana Monarchs, or Monroe Monarchs for short, were a group of black men, skilled in sport, that formed an all black baseball team. Their geographical location not only helped the popularity of southern leagues, but it played a role in the race warfare during the 1930’s. According to Paul Letlow, a University of Louisiana at Monroe alumni, and sportswriter, fans black and white, were allowed to sit together during games. The team ran during the late 20’s, to the mid 1930’s. They played in a baseball world series, had combined credited wins of over 25, and even induced two documented hall-of-famers during their reign. One being Willard Brown of Shreveport Louisiana and the other, Hilton Smith who also played for the team in 1932.

3. The Ninth Inning

A successful baseball league pioneer in Louisiana, a “colored” one at that, their team has made its mark in history, and rightfully so! From contributing to the demise of racial barriers in Monroe, La, to having

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Lead By Faith, Not By Sight W

inzer David Turner, Jr. was born in Ruston/Grambling, Louisiana. David’s dad was in the military, so his family moved around a lot during his childhood. Unfortunately, at the age of twelve David’s mother passed away. This caused David and his brother having to move to California with their father. When he became a junior in high school, David became very active; he started playing the trumpet in the band, and after a couple of years he switched to the drumline. He was also a member of the chess club. By David’s junior year in high school, he decided that he wanted to move back to Grambling and live with his grandmother. David became a church musician at the age of thirteen and he still currently plays for his church today.

He plays the keyboard, the piano, and the organ.

THE INTERVIEW

AMPS: How old were you when you started playing the piano?

David: I started playing the piano when I was about six years old.

AMPS: What year were you diagnosed as a diabetic?

David: I was diagnosed as a diabetic in 1996.

AMPS: When did you start losing your vision?

David: In 2011, I started getting sick and I had a retinal detachment that needed surgical repair. After surgery is when I lost sight in my left eye. In the beginning of 2013, I noticed that it was hard for me to see traffic lights and by the time summer came I could not see the back of vehicles that were in front of me. I ended up running into the back of a truck one day due to my vision. My illness went to a completely new level and in September of 2013 is when I completely lost my eyesight.

AMPS: You have another illness called Gastroparesis. When were you diagnosed with that and is there a cure for it?

David: I was diagnosed back in 2011. Gastroparesis is caused by diabetes and diabetes causes your blood vessels to weaken and shrink. The blood vessels are not able to be used properly; therefore, it causes issues with the organs they are attached to. Gastroparesis comes from the vessels that lead to the stomach. This has caused my stomach to become somewhat paralyzed and now I am not able to digest food properly.

Where it would take some people only a few hours to digest their food it takes my stomach at least 11 or 12 hours total to digest one meal. It is very painful, and it causes me to ball up in the fetal position. People normally eat every five hours and by the time they eat again, their food has digested, but in my case if I eat another meal five hours after the first meal it just adds on top of the food that I ate earlier. This causes me to throw up. Throwing up a lot causes me a lot of pain in my stomach.

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AMPS: Is there a cure for Gastroparesis and what are they doing to ease your pain?

David: No, there is no cure. Since I cannot hold anything in my stomach most of the time I have to be admitted into the hospital. The hospital staff will then give me meds through an IV. AMPS: Is there something you can do like maybe change your diet to ease the process?

David: Yes and no, and what I mean by that is with this disease there is no guarantee. What may work this week may not work next week. The changes that you make might work today and then tomorrow you try the same change, and it causes a completely different reaction.

AMPS: What motivates you to keep going and not to give up?

David: That is easy. My faith and my family are the main two reasons that I cannot give up. There are so many other people with a lot more issues than what I have. How can I inspire and motivate anyone if I am down and out about my condition? I have to stay positive and strong for other people. I must continue to convince myself despite what I am going through I can still do things. I am not going to let this stop me from at least trying. Which is why I still cook, I still work on my car, I cut my own hair, and I have got to continue being a musician and ministering to people. All of that to me is my therapy and Stevie Wonder has been blind since birth so if he can do it then why can’t I. God would not have given this to me if I could not handle it.

AMPS: What would you say to someone with a disability who would want to give up?

David: Just look at your situation and look how far you have made it. Realize that your situation could be worse. Stop focusing on the things that you can’t do and focus more on the things that you can do.

Follow David on social media: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/david.turner.18847

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/@elder_muzikman

Twitter

https://twitter.com/elder_muzikman

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Don’t Forget Where You At! D

ontrey Tatum born and raised in the small town of Columbia, Louisiana. He attended Caldwell Parish High School from 2000-2004. During his time at Caldwell, Dontrey decided took interest in journalism and performing arts and joined the High School newspaper and Speech and Debate team. Upon graduation of high school, Dontrey decided to further his education at Southern University where he attended from 2004 until 2008. Dontrey graduated from Southern with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, graduating Cum Laude. Recently, Dontrey was nominated as a 40 under 40 Cohort Trois candidate as a notable alumni of Southern University.

After graduating from college, Dontrey knew he was not done furthering his education, so he decided to start the process of going to Law School. He started out attending Southern University Law Center but he soon transferred to

The Interview AMPS: What influenced you to go into law after completing College?

Dontrey: I’ve always been interested in law since I was in middle school. What really influenced my decision to go into the legal field started out as a negative story, but I was able to turn it into a positive situation. My mom was in a bad car accident when I was younger and she had a very bad experience with an attorney. While she was in the hospital recovering, a family member contacted an attorney and hired him on my mom’s behalf. My mom did not hire the attorney. While she was trying to deal with the situation with the drunk driver, she was also having to deal with a lawsuit against the attorney. The attorney sued her because he was trying to work her case and she choose not to hire him.

That negative view of an attorney made me want to become an attorney even more. I didn’t feel like all attorneys were similar to that one guy at all. I just wanted to show that there are good attorneys out here in the field. I look up to other African American attorneys like Johnnie Cochran. I have admired him since I was very young. This was another influence on my career path. I also remember back in high school I was really excited because I got an invite to a summer program and I remember showing it to my parents and they were excited for me. The program was an introduction to law

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Grand Canyon University where he attended from 2011 to 2012. After completing a year there, Dontrey transferred to Texas Southern University an enrolled in the Thurgood Marshall School of Law where he attended from 2012 to 2015. He excelled at his work and was able to graduate Magna Cum Laude from their prestigious program.

He immediately took the bar exam and passed it on his first try. By the time, it came time for Dontrey to walk across the stage he was already a practicing attorney. There is no limit to what you can reach and achieve as long as you work hard and give it your all.

After graduating, Dontrey decided to reach even higher and extend his education even further. He started taking classes so that he could earn his master’s degree. He was able to split his work and school schedule by taking classes online while working. By 2016, Dontrey had earned his Master’s Degree in criminal justice with a concentration in legal study. and it was at Harvard University. I was not able to attend the program due to the cost of the trip. I remember showing it to my high school English teacher who told me in so many words “Don’t forget where you’re at. Not many people like yourself go on to become an attorney.” Hearing those words only pushed me to prove him wrong. Even though I didn’t get to attend the summer program at Harvard, I still went on to do exactly what I set out to do. Which was finish school and become an attorney. My family also played a big part in my success. They encouraged me and pushed me to move forward every step of the way. I cannot thank my parents or sisters enough for all of their help and encouragement.

AMPS: After graduating from Law School in Houston, Texas how did you end up in Dallas, Texas?

Dontrey: I got a job offer with London & London law firm. It is a black owned criminal defense firm in Dallas. I worked there as an entry level attorney for about a year and half before I got a job offer to work as the legal director for a non-profit organization. The name of the organization is Council on American- Islamic Relations (CAIR) and it’s a Muslim based organization. I am not a Muslim myself though. The reason I chose to work for that for that organization is because I saw a lot of people were not being able to travel to see their families due to the Muslim travel ban.

They were alone and stuck in the U.S. I saw a lot of things

that made me want to get involved with that organization.

When I got there, I offered to work with them and be their legal director for the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I was able to work on a lot of cases dealing with discrimination, hate crimes, and etc.

Student of the Year

AMPS: How did you end up working as an assistant city attorney of Dallas?

Dontrey: After I left CAIR, I started working with the assistant city attorney. Which means that I was the prosecutor for the city of Dallas. I also got an offer to start teaching as a criminal Justice professor at Remington College here in Dallas as well.

AMPS: What advice would you give someone coming from a small town?

Dontrey: I love my city and I wanted to show others who come from a small town to not allow your upbringing to determine what you want to do. If you see something that you want to do know and believe that, you can do it. It doesn’t matter where you come from. It’s all about hard work and not giving up. Nothing came to me easy. I really had to get out there and work hard from high school all the way through college. While my friends were out having a good time, I knew that I would not be able to do that. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and I knew that partying wasn’t going to get me there.

Z

oe Wilson is Richwood High School’s 2020-2021 student of the year. She has maintained an overall grade point average of a 3.8 while being a member of the Richwood JROTC for four years. Zoe plans to attend Xavier University in New Orleans and major in pre-med Biology. We are very proud of you Zoe and we wish you much success in your future endeavors.

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You ​grow​ ​girl!

How Daylan Davis r​ ose ​to the occasion.

By: Rhiana Thompson

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Daylan Davis, an African American 17 year old senior at West Monroe High School.

She presently serves as the 2020-2021 Homecoming Queen, President of the National Honors Society, Student Council Senior Class president, active member of West Monroe’s many clubs, and captain of her school’s very own Rebel Raiders dance team! She’s certainly top of the line! Pun intended. Outside of her academic endeavors, she recently just received an “Award of Excellence” from the Ouachita Parish School Board. Respectively, her involvement in such a plethoric amount of activities is natural for her. Davis comes from a loving , two-parent home, and really enjoyed her childhood. She celebrated both sides of her family, and visited her grandparents on frequent occasions. She started dance at the young age of 3, and as her elementary life progressed, she became more involved in New Vision Learning Academy’s programs, the preparatory academic establishment she attended. Daylan describes her early childhood as “blessed”, and her life only went higher from there! She attended Good Hope Middle School and joined the offered dance team and “Fellowship Program”. The ​Fellowship of Christian Students ​provided students who were interested, an opportunity to listen to a scripture and pray together each morning before class commenced.

Life has been and is great for Daylan, but of course with every story, lies a climatic adversity. Unfortunately during her freshman year of high school, her father passed. It got challenging, but she still thrived through the difficulties.

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The aforementioned organizations she is currently involved in only factors as a FRACTION of her success. In the immediate past, Davis has had the honor of doing an interview for KNOE news, and has recently began modeling for “Posh Modeling LLC”, a local modeling agency here in Monroe! In her early adolescent years, she was an avid viewer of the hit tv show “America’s Next Top Model”, and a neoteric summer ago, she auditioned for Posh credit to her friends. Needless to say, she was accepted and has been slaying since.

Concluding the interview, I asked in my opinion what were to be two of the most important questions . The first being, “Do you consider yourself a role model?”, to which Daylan replied, “Yes.”. In short, as she grew older the recognition of her deeds, involvement in activities, and affiliation with organizations contributed to her publicity. Her satisfaction with her “resume of success” also plays a factor in her leadership pride.

Before I elucidate my second query, I’d like to humbly announce that Monroe’s Dear Daylan Davis, has been accepted into Harvard University. With her extensive list of accomplishments, and her model citizenship, it’s very deserving. I included this information because she has a very bright future ahead of her and having stated this, my final question for Dear Daylan was, “When you make it big, because you will, are you interested in returning to Monroe and aiding in its change for the future?” According to Davis, she generally believes that “Monroe is behind the rest of the world.” In relation to her escription of our city, I agree. Monroe, Louisiana can be and have much more than what is presented. Nevertheless, Daylan has considerably thought about a future homecoming.

Davis is like that of a flower. Since a tiny seed, she has been able to utilize her environmental resources, her roots and fertilizer (being her family and home life). During her intermediate years she transitioned into a blossoming bud, constantly growing. From there the rain and thunder, being her senior’s demise, has helped her to transform. And my oh my, what has bloomed.

2021 Richwood High School Football Signees

By: Connie Morgan

1. Calvin Henderson – 6’2 175 DB – Texas Southern University 3.3 G.P.A, 19 ACT. Athletic, smart football player with unlimited potential.

2. Wesley Williams – 6’3 255 LB/DE – Tyler Junior College Big, athletic, and physical football player who will likely sign D-1 after JUCO 3. Justin Wilson – 6’3 260 DL – Southern University-Shreveport Great size, great feet, great use of hands 4. Terry Meneweather – 5’9 180 RB – Southern University-Shreveport Physical RB with great hands out the backfield.

5. Je’Marion Davis – 5’8 170 WR – Graceland University Intelligent football player with great work ethic.

Calvin Henderson

6. Deveryn Brooks – 5’8 170 DB – Graceland University Great open field tackler with good covering skills All of these young men are high character young men who have worked hard to put themselves in this position. They have meant a lot to the Richwood Football program. We are very proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait to hear great things from them in the near future.

Wesley Williams

Terry Meneweather

Je’Marion Davis

Deveryn Brooks

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Carroll Bulldogs vs Bearkats

Friday March 5, 2021, Carroll Bulldogs played the Bossier Bearkats. It was a tight game in the fourth quarter the score was tied 47-47 and the game went into overtime. #24 Senior Randarius Jones was filed. He made his free throws, which put the Bulldogs back on top. The final score was 59-56. Carroll Bulldogs has now won 3 games in a row. #24 Randarius Jones a senior 6’7 (Guard) led his team with 22 pts. #11 Ashton Scott Sophomore 6’1 (Guard) followed with 11 pts. . #2 Rickey Johnson a junior (Guard) 5’9 had 9 pts. #5 JuJu Hunter a senior 6’0 (SF) had 5 pts. #10 Deonte Edwards a senior standing 6’6 (PF) had 6 pts. #12 Derrick Connor 6’2 (SF) had 4 pts. and #1 Rictavion Johnson sophomore 5’11 (Guard) had 2 pts.

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Lady Spartans vs Lady Cougars

On Friday January 29, 2021, Caldwell Lady Spartans played against Grant Lady Cougars. The Lady Spartans defeated the Lady Cougars 66-42. #10 Danasia Andrews led the Lady Spartans with 27 pts. #12 Rylie Tate followed with 11 pts. #34 Amiyah Brown had 8pts #42 Carissa Gulley had 6pts #11 T’Keyah Gulley had 4pts #32 Onastacia Tillman had 4pts #22 Jalen Sikes- 4pts and #15 Se’Marai Smith- 2pts

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Page 17

Principal Alvin Fields, Jr. Alvin Fields Jr. was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Bellaire High School where he played football for one year and basketball for four years. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) and his Master’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). He has been recognized as Teacher of the Year at Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia. In addition, he was recognized as one of ULM’s outstanding students in Educational Leadership when he earned his Master’s degree. In 2019, he was recognized as one of Monroe’s Top 20 under 40. He has been in education for 16.5 years and is currently serving as the interim principal at Richwood High School. Alvin is most proud of his wife and three sons.

AMPS: What influenced your decision to go into education?

Principal Fields: The only reason I got into education was so I could coach. I also wanted to be a part of the sports that I love.

AMPS: How did you become principal of Richwood High School?

Principal Fields: Actually, I’m an interim principal, because our former principal Dr. Lock took a leave. When I moved back to Monroe, my former principal and mentor talked to me about leadership. He told me I would make a good principal and he asked me if I had ever thought about doing that.

I told him that I really just want to coach and he told me to start thinking about it. So I took his advice and I went back to school and to earn my master’s degree. I decided to teach one more year in the classroom while earning my master’s. After I got my master’s the very next year I became assistant principal here at Richwood high school. Six years later here I am.

AMPS: What are you doing to make sure that everyone stays safe at your school?

Principal Fields: We make sure that both teachers and students have their temperature taken every morning as soon as they enter the building. Our biggest fear is that if a student has symptoms of the virus and they come to school they are putting everyone at risk. That student could have taken an aspirin that morning to subside the fever. By second or third period, their fever would have spiked back up. So, at the beginning of each period and before the student enters the classroom their temperature is taken. We make sure that we disinfect, and we also have hand sanitizer stations around the school. We try to keep social distancing as much as possi-

Page 18

ble, but it’s hard to do if you have twenty five students in a classroom.

AMPS: What is your biggest challenge with your students since the pandemic has been going on?

Principal Fields: I think our biggest challenge is the virtual learners and trying to keep them engaged. A lot of the virtual learners tend not to log on for their courses. So we have to try to push hard to contact the parents and keep them in the loop with their child’s attendance. We also have a message system that we send out to the students that reminds them that their assignment is due.

AMPS: What are you doing to prepare your seniors for the real world once they graduate high school?

Principal Fields: The good thing that I like to brag about Richwood High School when I talk to people is that we have career programs that a lot of other schools don’t offer. We have a welding program, a barber or hair stylist program, and we have a dental assistant program. I think we are the only school in the whole state that has all three of those programs on the same campus. We give our students other opportunities besides the traditional college route that they can go into. We give them the option to start making careers and earn a decent living right out of high school. If they start their desired program sophomore year by the time, they are seniors they will be certified to become a barber or a welder if they select that route. So, they would take the hours that they earned from Richwood and go to a community college to finish off the last few courses. They will spend less time and money there and be out making a living more quickly. As far as our students that are going to college, we have a boot camp to help them to raise their A.C.T. scores.

We take various routes to make sure that students are getting what they need to be successful in life. As for as athletics right now we have six students so far that have committed athletic scholarships.

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Model, Natalie Jones Natalie Jones was born in Nashville, Tennessee and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jones is currently a fashion model. Besides her mom, Tyra Banks is one of her biggest inspirations. In her spare time, Jones is a missionary at her church. She also loves to play the drums. Jones encourages young black people to follow their dreams and to stay true to themselves.

AMPS: At what age did you decide that you wanted to become a model?

Natalie: “In 2005, when I started watching America’s Next Top Model. People would ask me if I was a model when they saw how tall I was. When I said “no” they would tell me that I should get into it. In 2018, I asked a lady named Felicia Ford if I could be in her show. I informed her that I didn’t have any experience. She said “yes”! After that, I started getting connections to model in other shows. I just made my first music video with an artist here in Indy. His name is Dead Silence.

The music video dropped on February 9, 2021. Also, I just did the SHE Event here in Indy. It’s a platform to network with entrepreneurs. “ AMPS: What do you do when you’re not modeling?

Natalie: “I have a job and I do church zoom. I’ve been a missionary minister for about five years now, and I’ve been playing the drums since the age of seven.”

AMPS: Did you play any sports in school?

Natalie: “No. I was a cheerleader my sophomore year in high school. By junior year I was co-caption until I graduated in 2016.”

AMPS: Are there any particular teachers that you have had that steered you in the right direction besides your mother?

Natalie: “Yes, her name is Martha Ann Lince. She didn’t mind being a momma bear in school for me and I really do appreciate that. She noticed that my behavior needed guidance. In addition, she gave me talks about how to control my temper and respect myself in a good image. She was my cheerleading coach, but I looked to her as my Godmother. I’m a totally different person today then I was back then. I’m really grateful that I had people that didn’t mind putting me in check or helping me out when I felt helpless. I’m still in contact with her today.”

AMPS: Who are your inspirations besides Tyra Banks?

Natalie: “My mom because I’ve seen her go through a lot of struggles in her life and she never gives up. She was a single parent. There was this one time that we almost lost our house.

The lights and water were turned off at the same time, and

Page 20

I had to use the restroom in a bucket in the garage. She made sure that I was well taken care of and she always spoke positive things for me to do. She always told me not to smoke or drink.

She told me to always put God first, no matter what my friends’ views on religions are. My mom also told me to always be true to myself. I have a lot of wisdom from my mom and I really love my mom to death.”

AMPS: Are there any particular people or any shows that you have been in that you like working with and the reasons that you like working with them?

Natalie: “Yes. Her name is Regina Warren. I just love the way that she teaches the models how to walk and not be afraid when you’re on the stage. Outside of modeling, she’s very easy to talk to. Also, she doesn’t make me feel like I’m lower than her. She’s just a great role model.”

AMPS: Is there anyone in the industry that you would love to work with?

Natalie: “I would love to work with Links by wind. I’ve seen her in the passion 4 fashion weeks in Parris and she’s just all over. I feel like she would be a great person to work with because she’s very well known. She doesn’t just have shows here In Indianapolis, she’s everywhere. I’m trying to go outside of Indianapolis.”

AMPS: Are there any photographers that you would like to give a shout out to?

Natalie: “Yes, his name is Darvin Bibs. He’s very good and hard working.”

AMPS: What are five things that no one knows about you?

Natalie: “1. I’m a drummer, 2. I sing, 3. I’m a missionary, 4. I’m an only child, and 5. I’m a survivor of child molestation.”

AMPS: Have you been in any programs or in therapy to talk to someone about that?

Natalie: “Yes, I went to counseling.”

AMPS: What does a guy have to do to get your attention?

Natalie: “If he’s comfortable with having a conversation about God with me.”

AMPS: What would turn you off about a guy?

Natalie: “Calling me shorty, baby, and lil momma before getting to know me. Also, not asking for my name before giving me his name.”

AMPS: What’s your favorite type of music, and who is your favorite singer?

Natalie: “I like old school music. I really love Chante Moore.”

AMPS: What’s your favorite food?

Natalie: “Macaroni and cheese.”

AMPS: What do you like to do just to clear your mind?

Natalie: “I like to play with my wigs, take selfies with my phone, and work on my posing.”

AMPS: What advice would you give someone who wants to make a career out of modeling?

Natalie: “The first thing is to make sure this is what they want to do. You want to make sure that you’re in a space where nothing or no one can steer you off your path from molding. Have a vision on how far you want modeling to go. A model is a representation of who you are as a person. Modeling isn’t what society or the fashion industry labels it to be. Height and size isn’t everything when you are a model. Be the best that you can be in molding.”

AMPS: How can someone contact you for booking?

Email: natalie111jones@gmail.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sheslayn Natalie leaves you with this: Luke Chapter 1:45 “And blessed is she who has believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said”.

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

(214) 937-9041

www.la.ampsmagazine.com Email: connie@ampsmagazine.com

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American Minority People Succeeding