PHOENIX EDITION
AMPS MAGAZINE
American Minority People Succeeding
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
WWW.PHOENIX.AMPSMAGAZINE.COM
WEBSITE
From The Publisher Kenya Rivers
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 the AMPS Phoenix Team
THE TEAM Kenya Rivers
Franchise Owner/ Publisher/ Editor
Chrystal O’Jon
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.
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VP of Marketing/ Financing/ Sr. Editor
Kent O’Jon Sr. Editor
“In retirement, I want to stay fit... financially and physically.”
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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
CONTENTS 04 06 07 08 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 23
The Importance of Last Will & Testaments
Arizona Business Owner Spotlight
A Man’s Mindset to Transformation Sports Review
The Normalization of Black Girl “Magic”
Arizona Empowerment Scholarships: What is it?
DJ Tech Artist Spotlight
Retired NBA Jerrod Mustaf
My 5013c Journey
Mayor Christian Price
Abuse has met its match in Arizona!
Cultural Diversity Historical Perspective of Life Insurance
Sickness and the Church, Faith in Crisis
Meet Ron of Global Water Resources PAGE 3
The Importance of Last Wills & Testaments
By: Patricia Glover, CP/ACP, CLDP, CNSA
Q. What are they and why are they important? A Last Will & Testament (often referred to as a Will) is a legal document that dictates what happens to your possessions and assets once you pass away. A Living Trust is a legal arrangement that allows a person (the Trustor) to transfer ownership of assets into his or her trust while still alive, and upon the Trustor’s passing, the ability to manage those assets passes to the Successor Trustee. The Successor Trustee then has the legal authority to distribute the Trust assets to the Trustor’s beneficiaries without going through probate.
while you are living as well as from beyond the grave, but there are different types of legal documents that are required to accomplish this protection.
A Trust does not replace a Will. Most Trusts deal only with specific assets, such as life insurance or a piece of property, while a Will governs distribution of nearly everything else in your estate. The biggest advantage to a Trust is that your heirs can avoid the court’s probate process, which (depending on the size of the estate) ultimately saves them money.
#4 Am I Concerned My Children Won’t Manage My Assets Responsibly After I Pass? This is a valid concern. Oftentimes, adult children are capable of handling their parents’ affairs, but not always. Choosing a representative is an important decision. You will want to choose someone who is trustworthy, capable of managing finances and understanding legal processes, and willing and able to serve. You can designate one or more persons to serve, and if you do not have a reliable person to appoint, you can designate a neutral third party such as a bank trust company or public fiduciary.
A Trust covers only the property that has been specifically transferred to it. The Will covers any property in the name of the decedent at the time of his or her death. A Will goes into effect when a person dies but does not have power until it is filed with probate court; whereas a Trust becomes effective as soon as it is written and signed. Questions to Ask While Creating a Living Trust #1 What Assets Do I Want to Protect? All assets that you own during your lifetime need to be protected, including personal tangible assets, business interests, investments, and real estate. There are ways to protect those assets
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#2 How Complex Are My Estate Planning Needs? Estate planning does not need to be complex or expensive. The essentials of estate planning typically include a Last Will and Testament, Living Will/Healthcare Directive, Financial Power of Attorney, Burial/Cremation Instructions, and a Trust and/or Other Probate-Avoidance Vehicle. #3 Who Do I Want to Manage My Property? The “Manager” of your property may have different titles depending on the type of estate plan that you put together. A Personal Representative/Executor (Will), Agent (Power of Attorney), and Successor Trustee (Trust) all have similar roles and responsibilities, but the authority vested in each of these roles depends on the type of document that is executed and the capacity of the signer. For example, a Power of Attorney can be used to give another person the ability to make health care and financial decisions, but the power terminates or “dies” when the signer dies.
#5 Do I Anticipate Family Conflict After I Pass? Every family is unique. You are in the best position to know whether you should anticipate family conflict upon your passing. A proper estate plan can alleviate most (if not all) conflict because it allows you to make binding decisions, thereby eliminating any potential arguments or disagreements between your family members. For example, if you have a blended family, you may wish to leave your entire estate to your spouse, but safeguard your assets so that
when your spouse dies, your estate passes back to your children and not your spouse’s heirs. You can also establish your end-of-life plan so that your loved ones are not left making difficult decisions on your behalf (e.g., Do you want to be resuscitated, stay on life support, etc.). #6 Do I Need an Estate Plan? Everyone needs an estate plan. Even if you do not have assets, an estate plan can be used to establish guardianship of your children in the event you die while they are still minors. You can also set up life insurance policies to be held in Trust to provide for your children or special needs beneficiaries long after you have passed. Do you care who gets your property (personal & real estate) when you die? Do you care who controls your money if you become incapacitated? Do you care who is appointed the guardian of your minor children? Do you have a blended (step) family? Do your beneficiaries have special needs? These are all questions to take into consideration when finalizing your estate plan. Patricia Glover, CP/ACP, CLDP, CNSA Advanced Certified Paralegal, Notary Signing Agent, Certified Legal Document Preparer #81799 We’ve Moved!! Our New Address: GLOVER COURT SOLUTIONS & ESTATE PLANNING 41704 W. Smith Enke Road, Suite 100 | Maricopa, AZ 85138 Call: (520) 450-1715 | Fax: (520) 423-3881 www.glovercourtsolutions.com contact@glovercourtsolutions.com
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Arizona Business Owner Spotlight Aaliyah Riley-Bushong, Owner of Wick Peach Vintage Best Advice for Entrepreneurs: Do not listen, I repeat do not listen to the discouraging whispers of others or feed into your own self doubt. The same energy you put into working for someone else’s business should be doubled or even tripled when building your business. You must work hard to build your brand, complacency is not an option! Be patient, confident and take pride in your product. Obstacles you encountered holding events and how you overcame them: Self-doubt was my biggest obstacle. I know I have a great product and my brand is solid. I have learned to follow my instincts and trust my unique perspective. Upcoming events: I’m officially launching my website, wickedpeachvintage.com, in January 2022. Curating beautiful hard-to-find vintage and antique items is a passion that I look forward to sharing with the public. I’m also open to working one on one with customers who are seeking specific vintage items. Every month I plan to refresh the store. Variety not only excites customers, it also highlights my creative passion and the exclusive items I collect year round. I will be acquiring more vintage and antiques items. I am very excited to see what the next year brings. Store Location: Wicked Peach Vintage 112 W 2nd St Casa Grande, AZ 85122 602-770-7492 wickedpeachvintage@gmail.com Facebook: Wicked Peach Vintage IG: wicked_ peach_vintage
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A Man’s Mindset to Transformation At any given time, we can change the direction of our lives. Men have the tendency to get caught up in their egos, and emotions. On the other side of that, God’s divine intervention comes into play. How, you ask? We’ve all asked the What, When, Where, and Why Question. Truth is, we’re questioning God… More-so, than ourselves. We lack at holding ourselves accountable in our relationships.
Mindset Hindrances
These egos we build up, are to cover up the emotions that will not allow us to make the right decisions. We take risks that are detrimental to our relationships. Why, you ask?
Mindset Influences
Most men are influenced by their environment. No matter what their circumstances; one will acclimate to the tendencies of that particular environment. At some point a man should become conscious of the environment he’s in! Meaning his actions, and thoughts should change…. In what regard will it change?
Mindset Changes
Some will say being a gangster is all I know, or Wall Street is all I know, holds no truth! We create what we want to believe we can only do. We’re capable of doing anything as long as our mindset is organized to make what we want to happen. I speak on manifesting good
By: Antonio Hickman
energy… Choice is change. Becoming a father is change! Becoming a man from a child is the process of change. The energy to make good or bad decisions is the same.
Mindset Results
However, the results differ, and knowing the consequences apply to all choices. When I speak of transformation, I refer to it as evolving from a complacent mindset. The simplest thing in life is having faith. It doesn’t require thinking; it’s simply knowing everything will work out! Men stop being afraid of showing your sensitive side! It doesn’t stop you from being a man!
Sports Review By: Kent O’Jon
FINAL - Kansas City Chiefs 42 - Buffalo Bills 36 The Kansas City Chiefs have advanced to the AFC Championship on the strength of an 8-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce at 10:49 into overtime. The Chiefs will host the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Mahomes completed 33/44 passes for 378 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions. Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 27/37 passes for 329 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Allen’s 4 touchdown passes were all completed to wide receiver Gabriel Davis. Davis is 1st player in NFL history to catch 4 touchdown passes in a playoff game. The Chiefs advanced to the AFC Championship game for the fourth consecutive year since 2018. The Chiefs will also become the first team in NFL history to host four consecutive championship games.
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The Normalization of Black Girl “Magic” by: Nina Garrett
Initially, the phrase “Black Girl Magic” was an empowering, unifying rally cry adopted by woc to call attention to our talents and accomplishments. The word magic implies the use of mysterious or supernatural forces. I think we need to change the narrative. This year I found myself noticing how much women of color are making their presence known all over the world. Starting with the election of the first female Vice President of the United States, to the roles of former Georgia State Representative Stacy Abrams and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms impact on the 2020 election in Georgia, to Rihanna being dubbed the wealthiest female musician by Forbes, second only to Oprah (yet another woc) as the wealthiest female entertainer. Let’s also not forget Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett’s scientific contributions to fighting the pandemic. Even in Hollywood we can see the success of shows like Issa Rae’s Insecure, the new hit shows Harlem and The Wheel of Time on Amazon both showcasing woc as main characters. In the past one of my favorite shows Sex in the City was not very inclusive of woc in the casting of character’s but to my surprise the re-boot, And Just Like That has added Nicole Ari Parker, Sara Ramirez and Karen Pittman as recurring characters in the show (BRAVO!). I think if we asked any one of these women what the key to their success is, they would tell you there was nothing magical about their journey. I say in 2022 we recognize that woc are just as capable, talented, educated, and worthy of recognition as any other woman. There’s nothing “magic” about it.
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Restaurants
By Chrystal Allen-O’Jon
Seasons 52 / Phoenix https://www.seasons52.com/
Did I mention their desserts? OMG!!!!!
Seasons 52 restaurants’ website labels their dishes as “comfort food” and I can attest to this very fact. From the ambiance to the service and food comfort is what I felt. My husband and I received an Anniversary/Birthday gift from our son (from Houston, TX) - which, by the way, we will send a as e-gifts in the near future to friends and family. Our Menu Choices: FILET MIGNON* AND MAINE LOBSTER TAIL: The taste and quality were to “die for”.
1. Food Flavor & Texture - $$$$ 2. Food Quality & Healthiness - $$$$ 3. Value - $$$$ 4. Service & Setting - $$$$
La locanda Ristorante Italiano www.lalocandaaz.com
https://www.seasons52.com/menu/filet-mignon-andmaine-lobster-tail/prod5960008
This was the best birthday meal in a long time. I am still tasting the penne’ sauce in my sleep. Rafael, our server was attentive, friendly and made the experience exceptional. Would I ever return? Heck yeah! I recommend you trying this place at least one time, if you ever happen to be in the downtown Scottsdale area. You won’t regret it.
BLACKENED MAHI MAHI TACOS
1. Food Flavor & Texture - $$$$ 2. Food Quality & Healthiness - $$$$ 3. Value - $$$$ 4. Service & Setting - $$$$ https://www.seasons52.com/menu/blackened-mahi-mahi-tacos/prod860674
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Lonnie’s BBQ & More
21274 N John Wayne Pkwy, Maricopa, AZ 85139 Lonnie’s serves up great food! 1. Food Flavor & Texture - $$$ 2. Food Quality & Healthiness - $$$ 3. Value - $$$ 4. Service & Setting - $$$ Our Rating Scale: $ $$ $$$ $$$$
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Arizona Empowerment Scholarships: What is it? Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) – American Federation for Children (az4children. org) As a grandmother, I find the need to re-educate myself with laws and bills as it relates to the education of my grandchildren. You may need to do the same as a parent, foster care parent, or grandparent, like me. Let’s take this journey together by learning a little about the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship (ESA) Program prepared as of January 29, 2021. Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Program The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program from the Arizona Department of Education (gives eligible parents public funding to pursue flexible options for customizing their children’s education). Intended to expand educational opportunity outside of the public school system, it provides public funding for a wide range of personalized education expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring services, textbooks and more. (https://www.azed.gov/esa). Important Information ESA is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year! https://www.azed.gov/esa/eligibility-requirements. If you aren’t receiving weekly email updates, email sarah. raybon@azed.gov and get added to the list!
Learn more about the Parent Advisory Council at ESA Parent Advisory Council.
● ● Pre-K
The Benefits of an ESA ● Empowers you to customize your child’s education ● Provides public funding for personalized learning ● Covers a wide range of education expenses Easy application process Students with special needs may start as early as
Who Qualifies for an ESA? ● Preschool students with special needs ● K-12 students with special needs ● Children of active-duty military parent ● Children of a military parent killed in the line of duty ● Children of parent who is legally blind, deaf or hard of hearing ● Students attending a D or F rated school ● Students residing within a Native American Reservation ● Siblings of current or previous ESA recipient ● Student who was a ward of the court ● Previous ESA recipients In April of 2021, the bill was revised to include: As Amended by House WM; and prepared BY: Patrick Moran. The program now includes children eligible for Free and Reduced-Price lunches (FRPL) and children of veterans. It would also modify the financing of ESAs and make several other miscellaneous changes to the program.
Applications for the 2021-2022 ESA Parent Advisory Council are now closed. Thank you to all who applied!
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Artist Spotlight
happens, I just take it as a sign that my mind needs a break and to work on other things. Don’t try to force creativity.
1.Your name/stage name: JYA 2. Your Music Genre’: R & B
3. Past music projects” I have only been releasing singles, so, I have not released any EP in the past.
6.What are you working on now? Personal and or professional: Personally, I have been working on balancing my time for self-care and work. This is a challenge for me, I usually find myself staying up all day/all night working, which is not good. Professionally, I have been working on Merch, NFTs, projects for other artists (such as features and writing), and working on a project for Euphony with Eric Seats.
4. Advice for young entertainers: My advice for young entertainers is to remain true to yourself, consistently put in the work to reach your goals, and do not compare or compete with anyone except yourself. 5. Music obstacles you encountered and how you overcame them: Sometimes, I feel uninspired to write. When that
1. Your Name: Darrick “DJ” Johnson
DJ TECH
2. Organization/Title: D. Golden Inc (ITech Inc) 3. Recent accomplishments: Just recently partnered with Google & Microsoft for 400k per year for two years. The partnership will include access to Microsoft and Google campuses/resources worldwide and software and development programs for youth ages 8-17 (inner-city) to help with early exposure to STEM programs and resources. Access to all technology certifications to help recent college graduates and mid-career professionals looking to transition into technology. 4. Obstacles you encountered and how you overcame them: Staying true to the vision and mission for Itech. The motto of our company is “This Is Why We Tech.” Staying true to our why and long-term mission. Post Breana Taylor and George Floyd, every technology company in Silicon Valley was looking to increase their Diversity and Inclusion numbers. We received our first offer to partner up with companies to help improve their pipeline for people of color in technology. The proposal was for 20k for three years. Fast forward to today, we just closed one of the largest deals in Silicon Valley for a non-profit that will help our community.
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5. What are you working on now? Personal: Working on purchasing my first investment property in 2022. Sitting on the board for Cal State school to help with scholarships and curriculum for the computer science program. We are working on launching our Business Consulting firm that will help with entrepreneurship and how to navigate corporate America to help obtain generational wealth. Professional: Sitting on the board for Micorosft’s D&I team (Blacks at Microsoft) Building out Metta Verse/ Learning platform for Itech. Building up ITech First Head Quarters Writing a Book on my journey to Silicon Valley. Business: website: www.Itech0.com IG: Itech24x8 Facebook: Itech LinkedIn: Itech Inc (D. Golden Inc) Personal: Linkedin: Darrick “DJ” Johnson IG: Deejack24x8 Facebook Darrick Johnson
Retired NBA Athlete Jerrod Mustaf
Q&A with Retired NBA Athlete Jerrod Mustaf, Director of Basketball, US Elite Basketball LLC - 12138 Central Avenue, Suite 390 Mitchellville, Maryland 20721, http:// jerrodmustaf.com/index.cfm.
Who inspired you as a young athlete?
As a young athlete I was inspired by Muhammad Ali. He was my greatest sports hero and I fell in love with his story. I always wanted to stand for a greater cause than myself and to use my platform as an athlete to make a difference in the community and world. I didn’t fully understand what the word sacrifice meant until I learned who Muhammad Ali was.
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning? Why?
You definitely have to have a confident attitude to win. There are a lot of talented players in every sport, but they may not have the confidence to be a “playmaker” when the game is on the line. All of the great ones have some intangible that separates them from others. And the beauty about sports is that it mirrors life- you can apply the skills acquired in sports to the workplace and in life. Any young athlete should set goals to win on the court/ field, in the classroom and in life!
What sacrifices did you find the hardest to make
your career in sports?
I knew that my time with friends and family would be limited if I wanted to pursue my goals in sports. My freedom to own my personal space in the public had to be sacrificed too. I had to understand that fans of my current team or franchise would encroach on my personal space at dinner, the movies, while shopping, etc., but that was a sacrifice that all professional athletes had to make. I had to sacrifice new friendships because it would be difficult to make new friends and relationships without feeling compromised due to my status as a professional athlete. And the earliest sacrifice was my personal time as a teenager who needed hours of training to develop my talent. I had to sacrifice time at the beach in the summer and socializing with friends because I needed to be locked in a gym training.
Do you think being a sportsperson has changed your life?
Playing sports has afforded me an opportunity to see the world and it has broadened my global perspective.
What are your current projects?
I still direct my nonprofit, www.takechargeprogram.org . I also started a new basketball platform, www.uselitebasketball.com. I founded another project in my hometown this past summer, www.columbuscountylegends.com I also published my first book in 2021, www. becomingpops.com
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My 5013c Journey By Kent O’Jon
The Maricopa Veteran Care Center was founded in December 2017 by Chrystal and Kent O’Jon. The objective of the MVCC is to provide free counseling (first two sessions) to the citizens of the city of Maricopa, Arizona. Initially, free counseling sessions were being offered to only military veterans who reside within the city limits. However, it was decided between Chrystal and me (Kent O’Jon) to include first responders and citizens within the city of Maricopa. Maricopa Veterans Care Center: The MVCC is 5013c nonprofit organization. The goal of the. MVCC is to provide services and to promote mental wellness in the City of Maricopa community. The MVCC is financially sustained by donations. One of our primary benefactors is ACP Painting (a local company here in Maricopa.) The MVCC uses its donations to provide free counseling sessions to citizens in need here in Maricopa. Counseling: Counseling is defined as the provision and guidance in resolving personal, social, and psychological difficulties, especially by a professional (Oxford Dictionary definition.) Why include Everyone? In 2020 there was a suicide incident involving a young man who was an employee of McDonald’s (Casa Grande Highway.) The victim was well known and popular among his peers and customers. No one suspected that this young man was having any problems. He was outgoing, had a vibrant personality and it appeared that he had no issues. One day during his lunch break, he simply walked to his vehicle, sat inside, and shot himself. No suicide note, no explanation. Afterwards, Chrystal and I decided to reach out to citizens to include everyone (not just veterans, and first responders.) How the program works: It is quite simple. MVCC has an agreement with Northern Lights Counseling Group. NLC is a locally based organization here in the city of Maricopa comprised of professionally trained and state licensed therapists.
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If a citizen requests services, the citizen only must call Northern Lights at 623 243 2774 and mention MVCC. An appointment will be scheduled, and the initial two sessions will be covered by the Maricopa Veterans Care Center. If more sessions are requested, the patient either will pay out of pocket or initiate insurance benefits. NLC may be googled for further information about the organization. About Us: Chrystal is a native of Los Angeles, CA., I (Kent O’Jon) am originally from New York City. I graduated from high school in San Francisco, CA, attended San Diego State University, and completed two tours at Camp Pendleton, CA with the US Marines. So, there is my California connection (smile). Chrystal and I have lived in Maricopa, AZ since 2011. I am a medically retired Iraq-Afghanistan veteran with PTSD. Thus, the motivation for the organization.
Mayor Christian Price
1. What made you enter politics?
I’ve always had a love for learning what’s going on around me and then wanting to be a part of that community. I love learning the law and then coming up with ways to navigate the system, think outside the box, and help others do the same. In truth, I love helping people learn what I have learned about the system of government that we have and then sharing it so that they will know what I know. I also think that I had the unique credentials to do well working with people. If you have ever taken the Gallup Strengths test, my top 5 Strengths are: • Winning Others Over (Loves meeting new people & building relationships) • Communication (Is good at presenting & getting a message out in all the various mediums) • Arranger (Can organize and arrange for maximum productivity) • Achiever (Has a great deal of stamina with a hard work ethic & specializes in being active and productive) • Futuristic (Having a clear vision of the future and is motivated by it, which in turn helps to inspire others to see what the future can become.) I have used each of these talents daily to help move our city forward and to help bring people together all for the benefit of Maricopa itself. It also doesn’t hurt that I have a strong law and financial background that I use daily as well to help the city. I believe that collectively these talents work really well being in the political realm to accomplish tasks that the voters expect and sometimes they are challenges that seem insurmountable. I thrive off that challenge and coined the phrase: #Maricopagrit. I’m pretty patient but I don’t take no for an answer, and I just look for another way to accomplish it, even if it takes
longer. I work until the work is done and I love solving problems. 2. Do you have other future political goals?
People always ask me this. And I understand why... so many folks watch newly elected officials get into one elected office just work to try and get into another. But that’s not me. You see I love this job because I live here, my family lives here, your families live here and I want to give it everything I can, so that it will be better when I leave, than when I found it. I also love the fact that for the most part, politics don’t play a major role in our daily decisions. Look potholes are NOT Republican, Democrat, Independent, or anything else...they are just potholes that need to be filled. The job is less theoretical and so much more factual. It’s fun to actually get things accomplished and surprise people that at least one form of Government CAN ACTUALLY get things done! An elected state legislator friend of mine recently said after learning how the AZ State Legislature works and spending some time in the sausage grinder....He emphatically stated: “I watch ‘you guys’ (Cities & City Council’s) get so much accomplished and I often wonder what am I even doing at the State Legislature? We spend so much time playing political games and we get so little accomplished....I’m about ready to come back and run for City Council!” So, while I will never rule out doing something different as a possible elected official, as the day will come when it’s time to turn over my stewardship to another Mayor whose turn it is to do it their “own way” but standing on my shoulders, just as I stood on the shoulders of my predecessors to move us forward. We each play our part and bring our unique talents to bear on the challenges at hand. Some of us are better at it than others, but we each play a role and that’s the beauty of our system of government: “By the people, for the people”. I will say this: If I Continued on Page 16
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NEVER EVER get to be an elected official ever again in my lifetime, I will count this as one of the most honored times in my life. It truly was the greatest honor of my lifetime to serve the City of Maricopa as its Mayor and I think about that each and every day that I still have that opportunity. I take it very seriously. 3. As Mayor of Maricopa, what do you find personally rewarding? For me, the most rewarding thing is talking to people and seeing them light up when I can guide them through how a city works. How to help them start a business. To teach people about things they use in their everyday lives but have no idea how they function. I love being able to educate them on these things and then help them navigate the challenges to help them live better lives. Something else personally rewarding is being the underdog. Maricopa amongst her colleague cities is the underdog and I love helping her play that role. You see I am being told all the time, we’ll never get this or we’ll never achieve that...I thrive on that....you tell me no.....Oh yeah, it’s game on! I am tenacious at proving that the underdog should be heard, has valid concerns and needs, and that our city’s residents deserve the same chance for success and economic stability as any other city in our state. For so long people said that we’d never get an overpass over the RR tracks. I believed to the contrary. And we did it against all odds!!! People told
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me we’d never get a hotel in Maricopa because it couldn’t support one, though all the facts pointed to the contrary. And we accomplished that because we never gave up on building relationships that matter....now many more hotels want to follow suit. People told me that the Gila River Indian Community would never come along with wanting to help us fix the 347 as it runs through their land. Well, building relationships built on safety and common sense has gotten us their stamp of approval to move forward in getting this roadway fixed and listed as one of their top 4 transportation priorities. I can go on and on, about triumphs like these. Many will see them as only little victories, but they are catalysts to huge economic boons to our citizens and our city’s future growth. These are literally foundational cornerstones to successes that will happen long after I am gone because we took the time today to do what others wouldn’t do. Others and I have sacrificed what others wouldn’t. We gave what others wouldn’t give and because of it, we will have a thriving city for thousands of people to live their slice of the American Dream for decades into the future. If only all those folks knew what others gave up for them. Knowing this and looking into the future but working tirelessly today and being grateful for yesterday’s challenges overcome, is probably one of the best feelings of accomplishment that one could ever have. At least it is for me, and I treasure it daily and strive to make more happen just like it, every day.
Royalty Headwear.com Royalty Headwear was born in the Summer of 2018 and founded by Jabril Edmondson and DeShun Gilchrist. After years of dealing with the same problems associated with durags, we decided to create a solution to our recurring problems. We embraced this challenge focusing on improving three things: convenience, compression, and comfort. We began sketching and cutting pieces of fabric with the hope of creating physical renditions of our ideas. With the help of a local seamstress, we were able to create our first prototypes. She became an integral part of our inception, eventually teaching us how to sew. After months of producing unsuccessful prototypes, DeShun suggested an outlandish idea. He suggested a one strap durag. After about 2 weeks of late nights and early mornings, we created the first official one strap durag prototype. This rendition of the traditional durag is now known as the Royalty Rag. After creating the Royalty Rag, we were encouraged to keep creating products to solve more problems. We have now added three additional flagship products in addition to the Royalty Rag. Our second product is the Royalty Cap, an improved version of the traditional
compression cap, known as The Royalty Cap. Our third product is our Natural pomade, a natural alternative to the traditional petroleum-based pomade. Lastly, our newest product is The Royalty Bonnet. It’s the first bonnet designed to never slide off with any hairstyle. Since our launch in February of 2019, we’ve sold 17,000 units of all our products combined, to over 15,000 customers in 29 different nations including the US. We are motivated to keep creating new products, improving our current ones, and growing into a successful and well recognized brand. So, like we tell our customers, (Wear it, Respect it and Let us, Care For Your Crown). Royalty Headwear Jabril Edmondson & DeShun Gilchrist Care For Your Crown Royaltyheadwear.com
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Estimated Impact We estimate that in comparison with current law the bill would result in K-12 Basic State Aid General Fund formula savings of $(9.4) million in FY 2022, $(7.1) million in FY 2023, and $(7.2) million in FY 2024. These estimates are speculative due to uncertainty about the rate of students switching from public schools into the ESA program as well as ESA participation among private school children who never attended a public school. Apply now: ESA Applicant Forms | Arizona Department of Education (azed.gov)
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Abuse has met its match in Arizona! By Chrystal O’Jon
If you didn’t know, you’re about to find out that Maricopa Arizona (and all of Pinal County) has its own superhero. That (Shero) isTorri Anderson. Who is this Hero? Torri Anderson ia a Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board Member & Community Advocate Torri Anderson was elected as the President of the Governing Board of the Maricopa Unified School District in February 2013 and has served as the Arizona School Board Association Secretary and Treasurer. She has also served as the Pinal County Director on the ASBA Board of Directors. She is a highly respected, dynamic visionary and community leader in the City of Maricopa and Pinal County, and has been a passionate agent for change in education and social and community areas of need. As the catalyst for Against Abuse Inc. Seeds of Change Gala, Mrs. Anderson has spearheaded the successful efforts to raise funds for and build a domestic violence shelter for women and children in Maricopa to provide a safe place for those who suffer the effects of family violence. She served as President of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, providing significant advocacy for teachers, administrators and school boards in the advancement of student achievement. In that capacity, Mrs. Anderson stewarded the planning of the state and southwest annual conferences, which brought together teaching professionals from throughout Arizona, with an average attendance of 3000. She also provided leadership for the organization’s finances and budget and recruited new board members. She helped drive the formal incorporation of the association and update the by-laws.
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As a member of the Pinal County Educational Service Agency, Mrs. Anderson facilitated teacher development workshops for Pinal County teachers, as well as facilitated teambuilding and leadership goal-setting workshops for students. While at the Kyrene Unified School District, she facilitated teacher development workshops in communication and student diversity, and A.C.E. and S.T.A.R. Teambuilding, Communication and Tolerance workshops. In her work with Arizona State University, Mrs. Anderson served as a mentor teacher for future professionals and facilitated high school and college student peer teaching. She also has worked extensively with the Ak-Chin Indian Community, assisting with family and community diversity workshops. During her professional career, Mrs. Anderson has worked at Arizona State University and the Maricopa Unified School District. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Arizona State University and has completed significant graduate-level course work at ASU and Georgia College & State University. Mrs. Anderson and her husband, Kelly Anderson Maricopa’s inaugural mayor, reside with their three children in Maricopa. Why Community Advocacy? Torri, like so many of us, has known a friend, family member, or acquaintance who has suffered some form of domestic abuse. We know, based on statistics this monster (domestic abuse) is pervasive. Knowing the facts should help us all be determined to diminish abuse and its aftereffects generationally. The Facts https://www.maricopacountyattorney.org/ ● 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the US. During one year this equates to more than 10 million victims. ● 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. ● 1 in 3 female murder victims and 1 in 20 male murder victims are killed by an intimate partner. ● Every 44 minutes in Arizona, one or more children
witness domestic violence. ● More than 40% of domestic violence victims delay leaving a dangerous situation because they fear for their pet’s safety and don’t have a safe place to take them. ● Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, or other abusive behavior as a part of a systematic pattern of power and control by one partner against another. ● Domestic violence includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. While frequency and severity can vary dramatically in each situation, one consistent component is abusers will try to maintain power and control over their partner DV Factsheet (acesdv.org) Sexual violence can have a lasting impact physically, socially,and psychologically. Some of these impacts may include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Post traumatic Stress Anxiety Low self-esteem Gastrointestinal issues Sexually transmitted Infections
The impact to our communities - Why this is so important an issue Those who were assaulted in childhood were more likely than those first assaulted in adulthood to report the subsequent development of a mental disorder. Demographic characteristics of gender, age, ethnic background, and education, however, were generally unrelated to the probability of developing any specific disorder after being assaulted. Finally, major depression, drug abuse or dependence, antisocial personality, and phobia were all associated with a higher probability of subsequent sexual assault. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved). Why Torri is our Hero Torri saw a need and decided to be proactive. She established Against Abuse Inc. Seeds of Change Gala. According to Torri, “The mission of Against Abuse Inc. is to provide services, support and education to all who experience the effects of family dysfunction and/or violence, past and present.” Against Abuse Inc. has provided social and behavioral health services in Pinal County, Az. since 1981. Against
Abuse Inc. is a private non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and the community to understand the nature and effects of family violence and the resources available to meet the needs of those abused. In addition, the agency has taken a proactive role in providing a family focused, culturally sensitive continuum of prevention and intervention services to individuals and families in need of services. Currently, Against Abuse Inc. has 2 crisis shelters in Pinal County. These 2 facilities serve the entire Pinal County area. The Against Abuse Incorporated Board of Directors realized the need and civic responsibility to build a shelter and expand services in the City of Maricopa; thereby ensuring safety for our identified women and children. In October of 2005, the need to build a crisis shelter in Maricopa was established. This 1st Annual Against Abuse Inc. Seeds of Change Gala in February, 2006 was established. We sold 350 tickets and raised over $60,000! We were so excited to be able to have the building fund established. All proceeds went directly to the Maricopa Shelter Building fund. The Agency was also fortunate to have received a donation of land to build our Maricopa Shelter. Currently, the organization is in the process of planning its 17th Annual Seeds of Change Gala. The Gala committee consists of dedicated men & women, who volunteer all year to organize this incredible event. We are excited to be moving forward with positive energy. The completion of the Maricopa Shelter was an exciting phase for Against Abuse Inc. The Ak-Chin Indian Community generously donated the $300,000 needed to complete the building construction. This Gala fundraiser is now focused on providing operating expenses for La Casa de Paz Maricopa. The name “Seeds of Change Gala” came from the history of Maricopa’s agricultural community and the change that planting seeds can make in a field. Our hope is that we are planting positive seeds for the future of our community To get involved please contact:
Against Abuse, Inc., 5013c 119 N. Florence St. Casa Grande, AZ 85122 http://www.against-abuse.org/ (520) 836-0621 aai@against-abuse.org Against Abuse, Inc. | Facebook
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Culture Diversity by: Kenya Rivers
There have been more judgments on how one should look as time goes on. When we come out of the womb, we are born to see each other as the same. Meaning we see each other with love, not by the color of their skin. Now that we are in the 2000’s people are still being judged by the color of their skin, how their hair is styled, what clothes they wear in public, and the tattoo art presented on their bodies. So many are guilty of judgment until a conversion is started to see the individual’s natural intelligence. Years ago, people had difficulty expressing their inner self because their families or friends would be ashamed of them. Many more people are not afraid to say their sexual preference because there is support from people who understand where they are coming from. Just because you may be different from some doesn’t mean you don’t have feelings or you can’t get a job done effectively. LGBTQ community has made sure that their organization will support others with some of the same cultural issues that everyone doesn’t understand. Most of the time, people who don’t understand diversity don’t want to understand or are just set in their ways. Many people that have been in the system have a hard time getting a job. Most of the time, even though they are qualified for the job, they are not hired due to their criminal background. There should be more companies that give people with felonies a chance. We live in a time where there is the shortest number of employees at every facility. Everyone makes mistakes but should you pay for that one mistake for the rest of your life. Covid-19 should have humbled some of these business establishments when they could not keep their doors open because there was not sufficient help. Jobs are still judging individuals on the culture instead of their job qualifications. That’s why more people want to start their businesses instead of working for a company or corporation. You can learn so much from other cultures and the mistakes we all have made. Each culture has a way they work, care for their families, and structure of learning. We can learn a lot from one another. All we must do is listen and stop judging one another.
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Historical Perspective of Life Insurance
Raven and Daniel Degraphenreed
Directors of Expansion with PHP Agency Life Insurance Broker Owners 101 E. Mishawaka Ave Mishawaka, IN 46545 ddegraphenreed@yahoo.com (317) 938-9785 Historically, the black community has taken advantage of Life Insurance but, the community has been known to be discriminated against regarding the amount of coverage one can receive. History has proven that prominent families like the Rockefellers, JP Morgan Chase, and many alike have used Life Insurance to fund trust funds and create a cycle of wealth building in their families. The Black community has been subject to a limited amount of coverage scarcely allowing for death expenses to be covered, with zero ounces of probable inheritance. Presently, because of these actions, we are left with generations of black community members whose legacies are not mourned but instead, used as a charity case to properly bury them. Based on the community’s current situation, we have made it our mission to teach the community about how the rich use life Insurance to establish wealth giving everyone back their financial independence.
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Sickness and the Church, Faith in Crisis O
ver the last couple of years our society has been crippled by a pandemic the likes of which hasn’t been seen since the Swine Flu in the early 1900’s. Now pandemic’s, plagues, and other sicknesses are not new to humans; however, the populations and the way they relate to these issues have in some ways changed drastically over the last several decades. Vaccinations once upon a time were the driving force to stopping the spread of certain diseases, i.e., Polio and Rickets, children were required to be vaccinated before attending school. Today the world is a very different place. Today’s society is filled with those who don’t trust the Government, antivaxxer’s, those who come from countries where the health requirements are governed by religious beliefs rather than health needs. This leads us down a slippery slope of where do we go from here? As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I am often approached with the cliché of WWJD (what would Jesus do?). I know that he would have looked up to heaven and thanked his Father then Wala healing. The disciples were given the gift of healing, however many as we read had to ask Jesus why it didn’t work for them. The response revolved around prayer and fasting. With this simple formula Jesus spoke of to his disciples, why then have so many believers in the church who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, saddened by the state of our society and let afraid and vulnerable lose their way; where does that leave faith? The church has been for centuries the voice of reason, the place where the lost could find solace, the sick could get well and the downtrodden could find hope. Today I’m not as optimistic as I once was. God’s Word has not changed it is as clear and as powerful as it has been since it was first spoken. The people of God, well that’s another story. I ask are preachers still preaching with the zeal and conviction as they once did? Or is it more smoke and mirrors of a watered-down gospel full of feel-good messages and hope for overwhelming prosperity, Sickness is nothing new, the church understood how
By Bishop Anthony Holt
to lay hands on the sick and pray for healing. The church also knew and stood on faith the “God’s will be done”. Divine healing was not to say we were all going to take up our beds and walk, it was a promise that a believer would be fine no matter what the outcome. Some were healed immediately such as with Peter’s Mother-in Law (Matt 8:13), some later in the day as with those brought to Jesus who were demon possessed (Matt 8:16). Then there was Lazarus who died and was in the grave four days before Jesus raised him from the dead. What am I getting at? Death is a part of life; we all will face it. “It is appointed unto man once to die then come judgement (Heb. 9:27). The church has to understand that the scripture ‘No Weapon formed against us” … clears a path to understanding that we will face adversities, heartbreak and yes even death, but praise be to God the rest of that scripture confesses “Shall prosper” (Isa. 54:17). The church moreover; the believer must come to terms with life as well as death. I am comforted by the words of the Apostle Paul, … “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:6-8). Sickness is a product of sin, healing is a product of God’s love. When we walk in love, stand in faith and trust God even while standing in the fiery furnace remembering he is always with us, “Lo I am with you always…” Matt. 28:20) we can face the life on life’s terms. We can face tomorrow with hope and with confidence. Today my prayer for the church is to get back to prayer and fasting. Get back on the alter, and get back to knowing, really knowing that God is in control. I leave everyone with the comforting and uplifting edification of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39 (amp)where he states “For, I am convinced [and continue to be convince beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. I am also convinced that no matter the state of this World, my God is still in control and in the palm of His hand. God bless you all. Bishop Anthony Holt ICADC, ICCJP Restoration Deliverance Ministries President WV NAACP District 1 Coordinator Drivers Safety AARP AZ WNTT Facilitator
480-316-9912
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Meet Ron Fleming of
Global Water Resources, Inc. Ron Fleming is current Chairman, President & CEO at Global Water Resources and offers pearls of wisdom to young Arizona entrepreneurs. Says Ron, “I believe in and try to follow the concept of the (Twenty Mile March) created by renowned business author Jim Collins. First, you need to have an idea of where you are going and who you or the company want to be way down the road, then march twenty miles every day towards that destination/goal – regardless of daily chaos, external factors beyond your control, or even positive wins. Just keep marching twenty miles every day, and you’ll be amazed how far you get when you look back over the years. https://www.jimcollins. com/concepts/twenty-mile-march.html. When asked how Mr. Fleming handles business obstacles, he states “Obstacles are never ending – resource constraints, recessions, regulatory/politics, even pandemics. And, if you are looking, you may even create obstacles where there Against Abuse, Inc. Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Since 1981 • Crisis Shelter • Mobile and Community Based Services • Transitional Living • Rapid Rehousing • Supervised Visitation • Animal Safe Home Network • Thrift Store Contact us: 24 Hour Hotline: 520.836.0858 Call us if you are interested in volunteering or donating: Administration: 520.836.1239 www.against-abuse.org
weren’t any. Focus on the destination, not the obstacles. That said, the true ability to keep this positive momentum/attitude and overcome such obstacles is the people you put around yourself. I am very fortunate to have the team that I do here at Global Water. But ultimately, the people part of the job can take more than 50% of your time. As another famous business author put it “It’s about the people, Stupid!” (to be clear the boss/CEO is the stupid person being spoken to here – the book is trying to wake up leaders to this fact). If you focus on your people first, help them understand the destination and opportunity this provides them, and march with them those twenty miles every day, it is a rewarding journey and regardless of when you “get there” you will have enjoyed and contributed to the journey itself ”. When it comes to current projects both professional and personal Ron says, “Reliable water and wastewater service is becoming both more complicated and more essential. Our goal has been to truly be a great partner to our communities and business stakeholders, and to do so in an environmentally and socially responsible way. In Maricopa, we are now trying to take this to the next level as it pertains to technology that benefits customer service, conservation, water resource management, and safety and compliance. Additionally, with the growth of our community and Arizona overall, we are being asked and are earning opportunities to expand our business to new areas and communities. This is exciting, but also challenging considering everything going on in our state. Outside of work, it’s all about family and friends, and trying to ensure quality time together while being active”.
AMPS Magazine Phoenix Edition
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AMPS MAGAZINE of PHOENIX Kenya Payne, Publisher
(480) 800-1551
www.phoenix.ampsmagazine.com Email: kenya@ampsmagazine.com PAGE 24
American Minority People Succeeding