PHOENIX EDITION
AMPS MAGAZINE
American Minority People Succeeding
WOMEN In POWER
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
WWW.PHOENIX.AMPSMAGAZINE.COM
WEBSITE
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CONTENTS 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
Accumulation of Generational Wealth Rob & Lucinda Boyd
From the Publisher O’Jon Property Management Mary Kay’s Suzy Rawlins Honeycutt Coffee
Women In Power Growing Older & Healing Trauma
Empire Title Agency Tru2u Fitness
Artist Spotlight Benefits of the Community having . Christian Characteristics
Long Reality Venus Moon Wellness Boutique Citizens Serving Our Community Julia R. Gusse Realtor
A Discussion About Group Stalking Maricopa Notary Against Abuse, Inc. Movie Spotlight - Swim Complete Beauty Solutions
Joia Gift Baskets Movin Maricopa PLLC Maricopa Veterans Care Center Maricopa Jazz Concert Natural Hair Care AMPS Radio
Tru2 Fitness Page 03
From The Publisher Kenya Rivers
AMPS (American Minority People Succeeding) is a quarterly multi-cultural magazine designed to be all inclusive in both print and in digital format. We pledge to inform the citizens of the metro Phoenix area (including the city of Maricopa & Pinal County) of the current affairs affecting us all. As our community grows, so then will the need for a list local resources and pertinent articles. Because the community is the eye of this magazine, Amps values and needs your input. We are also looking for student interns who want to earn credit hours. We will be looking for resource editorial as it relates to: Health & Mental Wellness, Veterans, Parents, Youth & Young Adults, Church Community, Married & Singles, Women/Men Shelters, Community Events, The Aging & Elderly, Homelessness , Food, Education, Politics. Please feel free to email your editorial ideas for print consideration, as well as any upcoming community events to: phoenix@ampsmagazine.com.
THE TEAM Kenya Rivers
Franchise Owner/ Publisher/ Editor
Chrystal O’Jon VP of Marketing/ Financing/ Editor
Cover Picture
Photographer: Donae Cotton Photography Stylist: House of Gentry A Salon
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AMPS Phoenix is a subsidiary of AMPS Magazine, a national publication, headquartered in Orlando, Florida. This magazine is published on a quarterly basis. AMPS Magazine Corporate Orlando, Florida 33837 317-426-7790
Accumulation of Generational Wealth By: Kent O’Jon
save money. Payday is through direct deposit on the 1st and 15th of every month. The service member does not have to pay rent or utilities because the member has the option of living on base or on ship. Over the Military Service course of a four year contract, While some people may see military service as a drastic career move, there are many benefits offered to military vet- the member can save a suberans. Do you know that the United States government will stantial amount of money. . The guarantee a home loan of up to 417,000 for a home for a vet- service offers a 401k plan for eran? Guarantee means that the government will pay off the members. home loan in the event that a veteran defaults on the loan. Purchasing a home is beneficial in the respect that the home- Education Military members (depending on their job or deployment owner is able to accumulate equity in a home. status) are able to take college courses while on active duty and in the Reserves at no charge to the member. While I Equity means the increase in value of owning a property attended San Diego State University in the early 1980s and over years of ownership. Example: The home that my wife Chrystal and I reside in was purchased for 138K. Our home did not graduate, I was able to resume my studies while on active duty and earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Park is 3705 square footage with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a University. I used tuition assistance from the service to pay pool, and jacuzzi.. Our home was purchased in 2012. Nine years later (2021) our home is now valued at 450k. The value for my education and I used the Montgomery GI Bill when has more than tripled in less than 10 years.. Veterans are also I left active duty as a reservist. I also used the Post 9/11 bill to pay for my MBA degree in Project Management from privy to lower interest rates (often less than 3% depending on one’s credit rating.) Home ownership is much more prof- Grantham University. Due to the advance in technology service members can itable than renting. When you rent, there is no tax deducattend school online or vocational school after leaving the tions for paying interest and no ownership in the domicile service (all at the expense of the government.) being rented. Like many people, I come from humble beginnings with no knowledge of how to accumulate wealth for myself and my family. While I am no expert, I have some knowledge that I would like to share with you (based on my experiences and education).
Military service affords a service member the opportunity to Business
Continued on Page 07
Rob & Lucinda Boyd The Streets Don’t Love You Back organization started in 2009. Rob and Lucinda educate youth and adults against Gang’s/ Drugs/ Violence and Abuse to making better choices. Their intervention program is taught around the country in the prison system/county jails/school system/court system/juvenile system. If you would like to get involved: please visit their website: www.thestreetsdontloveyouback.com also here is the link to Their prison Reform page https://thestreetsdontloveyouback.ning.com/page/prison-reform Youth empowerment page https://thestreetsdontloveyouback. ning.com/page/youth-empowerment The Streets Don’t Love You BACK Life Skills Intervention program Page https://thestreetsdontloveyouback.ning. com/page/intervention-program Page 05
Women In Power By Chrystal Allen-O’Jon
“Words have power. TV has power. My pen has power.” Shonda Rhimes
Kenya and I, as owners/editors have decided to be an inclusive voice for women and to create a platform for their words. Too often women are asked to sit back, patiently wait their turn for a “seat at the table” and to just be grateful for any opportunity given. Where we agree with having patience, we also believe we can create our own opportunity – a space for women’s voices. Some months ago, Kenya and I formed a friendship over a simple discussion. We spoke at length about the power to overcome loss. We both lost children and as devastating as that was (and still is), we also found strength we didn’t realize we had. We hope to, in upcoming editions, explore, discuss, and provide information as well as resource links to aid women in becoming strong, powerful and helpful to others. We will be looking for article submissions that discuss ways to defeat issues like homelessness, mental and physical health issues, loss, unemployment, and all forms of abuse. Becoming powerful is an ongoing process and it comes with responsibilities. Our hope, with the help of prayer, sound advisors, and continuous research, is that we become strengthened and send strength to others.
Growing Older & Healing Trauma By Chrystal Allen-O’Jon
Listening to audible excerpts from a book entitled “Healing Childhood Trauma: Transforming Pain into Purpose with Post-Traumatic Growth” By: Robin Marvel took me back to my own past childhood trauma. How trauma was dealt with in the 80’s & 90’s, for example, differs starkly from today. Its History If we think about how abuse was reported, or not reported in the 80’s at local schools, we are reminded that a child with bruises, scratches, or skin welts often went unreported by teachers, or staff. It was acceptable by many, that a “good butt whippin’” was warranted in some cases. Missed, however, was correction that went overboard. Broken arms, black eyes and swollen lips can heal, but the internal trauma and change in cognitive behavior takes years to heal, if ever. During the early 1980’s, three crisis theories emerged: 1) basic crisis theory, 2) expanded crisis theory, and 3) applied crisis theory. (Gilliand & James, 1993, p. 16). The basic theory focuses on helping people in crisis to recognize and change cognitive, behavioral, and emotional distortions that Page 06
are brought on temporarily by the traumatic event. My Experience At turning 60, I thought it time to do a “life reflection” on my own trauma and to examine the way in which I’ve carried it. As a young high school student, I learned very early to: 1) run away from pain (ran away from home at 16 for a time) - Fight or flight being a response to trauma often becomes the “go to” method, 2) develop self-destructive patterns of behavior such being a “party girl” in college, 3) find religion and to go overboard with religious legalism (a form of cultism), 4) step back to reevaluate, and 5) find balance and peace with it all. Going Forward: In the next few issues, I will include local and national resources for those looking for needed assistance as it relates to all forms of abuse. I will also discuss raising my own children while traumatized: What I didn’t know and what I know now, going forward with them. Other topics will include: “The Generational Ripple Effect of Abuse”, “Where are local therapy groups?”, “Churches and other such organization that specialize in abuse”, “No More a Self-Made Victim, and “Using Trauma Life Lessons to Help Others”. Continued on Page 07
Wealth Continued from Page 05 From 2007 to 2010 I deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. While deployed, I was able to save 10s of thousands of dollars during this period. When I returned home, I used my money to invest in real estate (Condominiums and Townhomes.) The real estate market was cheap during that time. I purchased several properties in Nashville, Houston, and Phoenix. I paid to have the properties repaired and I rented the properties out and Chrystal and I lived from the proceeds off of the rent. I started an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) O’Jon Property Management and Investments and was able to sustain myself and Chrystal for years. My last deployment was Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I was deployed for 11 months. I again saved money, purchased a townhome in Michigan began collecting rent from that property. If you go into military service with a plan, you too can benefit and prosper.
itary service (depending on your occupation) is often dangerous. The United States is often at war so there is a possibility of death while on active duty. The military is also competitive (rank and promotion wise). Only 17% of service members actually retire. While there are factors to consider, military service is a way to financial independence and generational wealth.
Retirement I retired in 2017 after 33 years of service (18 active and 15 years in the Reserves.) I served in 3 branches (Marine Corps, Air National Guard, Army), deployed with all 3 branches. I enjoy a retirement stipend for the remainder of my life with full medical and dental benefits. I also pay for an annuity that will revert my pension to my wife if I pass away before she does. DISCLAIMER- Military service is not for everyone. MilTrauma Continued from Page 06 Articles on this subject matter will be accepted and reviewed for future publications. Excerpts taken from: The History of Psychological Trauma - New Perspectives, Inc. (newperspectivesinc.com). Page 07
A Discussion About Group Stalking By. C. Dobson
Despite many years of effort by activists, lawmakers, courts, and news media, discrimination against women persists. Domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, and economic inequality have not abated. Now there is a new form of abuse directed at women in the form of criminal group-stalking (also called gang stalking), comprised of repeated covert home entries, vandalism, harassment, surveillance, and cybercrime, all designed to destabilize the victim emotionally. Studies show that older women, who live alone, perhaps on their own property, are the victims of group-stalking. They report covert break-ins to their homes and vandalism directed at the homes and automobiles or other property, plus abuse or interference with their pets. Further the women’s defenses against intruders, including alarms, cameras and locks, are said to be disabled. Harassment includes surveillance, inside the woman’s home and automobile. Outside, vandalism occurs, fireworks explode at night, and rocks or other objects are thrown at the house. Privacy and a woman’s sense of being safe in her own home are under attack. Away from home, while shopping, socializing or working, women are subjected to other harassment, including coordinated in-person stalking by more than one individual, surveillance and having their photographs taken. Stalkers create scenarios in public that are embarrassing to the woman, and they start rumors about her per-
Against Abuse, Inc.
Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Since 1981 •Crisis Shelter •Mobile and Community Based Services •Transitional Living Contact us: •Rapid Rehousing 24 Hour Hotline: 520.836.0858 •Supervised Visitation Call us if you are interested in •Animal Safe Home volunteering or donating: Network Administration: 520.836.1239 •Thrift Store www.against-abuse.org Page 08
sonal or business affairs, in order to try to ruin her reputation. Women have even reported health-related “dirty tricks,” including cancellation of their medical appointments and theft of medical prescriptions by criminals who visit pharmacies to engage in identity theft in order to steal. Harassment also takes the form of varied cyber crimes, especially interference with internet accounts and hacking of cell phones and computers. The effect of group-stalking, which creates stress in so many areas of life, can be intense, leading to suspicion, self-isolation, and mental instability, even to loss of friends and relationships. When a woman tells others of the stalking, she may meet with skepticism, part of the group-stalkers’ plan to discredit, sabotage and harass her. Even law enforcement has been slow to acknowledge that group-stalking occurs. The woman victimized by group-stalkers needs help. If you think you have been targeted as described above, or you know someone else who has been targeted by group-stalkers, it is important to take steps to find a support system in order to safeguard life and sanity. For more information and tips on being safe, visit the website womenunderattack.com, which deals specifically with group-stalking of women.
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Artist Spotlight
ric is part of Key Beats, Inc., an amazing team of music/song writers and producers. This team was established in 1997 by both Rapture Stewart and Eric Seats. Together, they toured with such artists as Montel Jordan. Rapture went on to be the music director for Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Ginuwine and Playa. Timbaland noticed their production skills and signed them both to a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell. Eric’s music experience both singularly and collectively have paid off in chart topping successes like, “Where My Girls At” for 702 in collaboration with Missy Elliot. This song paved the way for a management deal with Blackground Entertainment. He and his team went on to produce songs for the Jet Li and Aaliyah hit movie and soundtrack “Romeo Must Die”. While producing a song for Destiny’s Child member Beyonce Knowles, the opportunity came to also produce “Independent Women (Pt. 2)” for the “Survivor” CD. This was the original version that was recorded for the Drew Barrymore film “Charlie’s Angels”. After the success of the Survivor soundtrack, Aaliyah requested that Eric and his team work on her upcoming project as well. The result was production for half of her record “Aaliyah” which included the number one hit “Rock Da Boat”, written by Static. Eric, along with his team have gone on to produce and write music projects with the following other artists: Playa, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, DJ Whoo Kid, Travis Barker, T.I., DJ Drama, Young Dro, Jay-Z, Tweet, Nelly, Murphy Lee, DMX, Ashanti, Ja Rule, DJ Reflex, DJ Dense, Yung Joc, Diddy, Pharell, Busta Rhymes, Chingy, Fabolous, Tank, Keyshia Cole, Kanye West, Bubba Sparxxx, Nelly Furtado, Rich Boy, Soulja Boy, Lil’ Mo, D4L, En Vogue, Karen Clark-Sheard, The Soul Seekers, Mary Mary, Chante Moore, Kenny Latimore, Dave Hollister, Lalah Hathaway, Kelly Price, Patti LaBelle and Stevie Wonder.
Current Music Projects: “U-phony” Eric Seats & Jya together are “U-phony”, the quality of being pleasing to the ear, especially through a harmonious combination of words. Sidiooo Vol. 2 (projectsidiooo. com
New Music:
“Found Me , “Relax” are currently available on all digital outlets. “Project Sidiooo” Vol 2 A compilation of talented artist, exposing diverse musicians, writers, & artist from all over the world is available at projectsidiooo.com
Benefits of the Community having Christian Characteristics By: David Anderson
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n September I attended an event honoring our police and fire departments for the work they did on 9/11. As the speaker shared his thoughts for the occasion, I found myself reflecting on the tragedy and being stirred with emotions like the very day of this tragic event. The uncertainty and fear that this day caused for me, and many other Americans was unlike anything most had ever experienced. The question of what happened and how could this really be happening to us the American people.
The tragedy of this day was quickly overshadowed by the American spirit rising and taking a stand. Many people came together, supported one another and stood together. People left their homes to check on one another to ensure relatives, neighbors or even those in small businesses were ok. Flags were displayed in front of homes, in neighborhoods and in front of businesses. People traveled from all over the nation to New York to assist with rescue and clean up. We came together as people as a nation and supported one another. It seems in recent years we have changed our position with our love and support of one another. Most recently we seem to be taking sides regarding issues race, political positions and even nationalities. The events I witness today causes me to ask if we are still that nation. During the time after 9/11, the character exhibited by many Americans exemplified the spirit of the Pledge of Allegiance, which states “One Nation under God”. The bible states that when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, He responded stating two commandments. One was to love the Lord, our God and the second was to love our neighbors as we do ourselves (Matt 22:3640). We may all look different, be from different places and have different points of views but the bible commands us to love. We all have may have different ways of demonstrating love, but if we take to time to care for those around us, we can easily see the hands of the Christian at work. Page 09
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www.ampsradio.com Page 10
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