d-mars.com Business Journal 126

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February 2018

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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126th Edition

The Lloyd Family

Foundation

Perpetuating a legacy of greatness

12-13

Primary Election 2018:

Early Voting: February 20 – March 2 Election Date: March 6

Congresswoman Sheila Charles Collins Jackson Lee For Judge 246th Family Re-Elect for 18th Congressional District Court District of Texas

Sharon M. Burney For Justice of the Peace, PCT 7, PL 2

Kristin Tassin For Senator in District 17

Cheryl Elliott Thornton For Justice of the Peace, PCT 7, PL 2

Dedra Davis For Judge 270th Civil District Court

State Rep. Shawn Nicole Thierry Re-Elect for Texas House District 146

Judge Maria T. Jackson For Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1

Judge Joel Clouser Re-Elect for Fort Bend County Precinct 2

State Rep. Ron Reynolds Re-Elect for Fort Bend County District 27

State Rep. Jarvis Johnson Re-Elect for Texas House District 139

Steve Brown For Congress District 22

Shampa Mukerji For Judge 269th District Court

Kris Ougrah For Judge Harris County Criminal Court 15

Roslyn “Rozzy” Shorter For Harris County District Clerk

Constable Gary Majors For Fort Bend County Precinct 2

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Publisher’s Message d-mars.com is proud to share the success stories of African American businesses and civic and community leaders. We know that success does not always come easy and it is not always measured in money. How have you helped your fellow entrepreneur? Have you supported your locally-owned African American business? Have you donated to a nonprofit that is working in our underserved communities? Questions to think about and actions to take.

This month’s cover story highlights Mr. Kenny E. Lloyd, Vice President of North American Sales for Total Life Changes. Mr. Lloyd

"People from all walks of life and all over the world look at me and know my humble beginnings and know that everything I've done has been through hard work.

People respect me as a marketer and brand builder."

has achieved tremendous success in the network marketing industry. He is a man on a mission to help propel people to achieve high levels of success and to reach their fullest potential in business and life. His philosophy of bringing your “A-Game” all the time is definitely one to live by!

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

—Sean Combs

MR. D-MARS

Behind the Journal

contents 04 Business 04 Giving Back to our Community 05 “I Can’t Be Buried!”

08 Attendees Come Out On Top At Texas Black Expo CEO Roundtable & Pitch Competition

Publisher & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. COO & Managing Editor Kimberly Floyd ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

04

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Tiffany Black PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

06-07 In the Business Community…

06-07 Greater Houston Frontiers Club VIP Mayor’s Reception at the Tasting Room at the Anheuser Busch Brewery

12-13 Cover story 12-13 The Lloyd Family Foundation Perpetuating a legacy of greatness

16 Education 16 The Missouri City - Sugar Land Chapter, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated Hosts Inaugural Black History Program

12-13

18 Political 18 Mayor Turner Appoints Mary Benton as Interim Press Secretary

Project Coordinator Antoniece Portis

ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION • Business Journal • Health & Wellness Journal • Community Journal • Black Pages Online Business Directory • Top 50 Black Health, Medical & Wellness Professionals • Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs • Top 30 Influential Women of Houston • Top 25 Prime & Subcontractors for Diversity • Business Connection • Business Development • Business Consulting • Graphic Design • Photography • Printing • Web Design • Online & Email Marketing • Public Relations • Social Media • Advertising • Writing • Promotional Marketing

21 Real Estate 21 Ford Motor Company Honors Unsung Heroes

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charlotte A. Jackson Noel Pinnock Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner d-mars.com News Provider

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4 | February 2018 Business

Giving Back to our Community

By Charlotte A. Jackson Contributing Writer

n the world we live in, many people “leave home” and never return to their community.

There are bankers, doctors and educators among others who have graduated high school from the east side of Houston and after graduating from college, they will not return to the community.

Often, Class Reunions are planned for a downtown location or something more centrally located to an airport. I know several of my high school classmates who have parents that moved and the classmates feel there is no reason to come back to our community.

I may be different but I believe you owe something to where you came from.

And I must say that late in 2017, one of the young men that I have watched grow up and is now a successful business owner and what he had to share with me was so exciting that I know the people in offices down the hall heard me shouting. This amazing young man, Cedric Washington, wanted to introduce me to Kevin Williams and they wanted to share with me that they were the proud owners of the most recent American

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Basketball Association (ABA) team. In the time since Cedric first told me, I cannot tell you how many times I have found myself sharing with someone else about the upcoming inaugural season opening weekend.

I knew of the ABA as the late Moses Malone was a friend of mine who had shared that he started with them, before the ABA and NBA joined together. He also shared that the ABA had reformed in 2000. Once the community learned of the sad news that San Jacinto College would be discontinuing their basket-

ball programs in 2018, several groups in Houston had an interest to purchase a team and perhaps rent the facilities.

When Cedric, Kevin and others who had grown up in East Houston started talking about it, they put their money and the hearts where their mouths were.

And now, we are just a few weeks away from not only seeing homegrown team owners but many of the young men who will be playing on the East Houston United team are from this area as well. These men are not just looking at owning a team or playing on a men’s

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professional basketball team, but they are deeply rooted in the North Channel Area. Most of the guys still live out here, their children attend schools on the east side and they attend church out here. Most of the guys are entrepreneurs and active volunteers in our community.

These are the men who have coached youth sports, served as mentors to many young people and are married to women who give back all of the time to the community. One example I often think of is Cedric’s wife Dynita. Not only does she have a very successful child care business, but is always one of the first to volunteer when there is a need in the community. It doesn’t matter if there is a homeless person living in their car or a grandparent wondering how they are going to feed the grandchildren, Dynita is cooking as soon as she hears of the need.

To know that families will be able to come out and watch a professional basketball game in their own community for less than they can park for a game downtown is a huge incentive. Knowing that the young children and teenagers can sit and watch as the East Houston United take on a team from Japan for the Opening Game and recognize the men on the court is something that excites me. For more information on the team, the owners and the players, please visit www.ehunited.com

February 2018 | 5 Business

“I Can’t Be Buried!”

By Noel Pinnock Contributing Writer

pportunity is at the core of our existence. If our forefathers/mothers did not leverage the opportunity to explore the great seas in search of a better tomorrow then we would probably not have an America today. Likewise, if it were not for my teachers of opportunity (i.e. spouse, parents, teachers, counselors, etc.) in my life then I would not be the man that I am today. Now do NOT get me wrong, I have failed, floundered, and faltered. I have not made the best of every opportunity. Like you, I am human and to err is human; however, this truism should not represent a business case NOT to get out there and grab opportunity by the horn and take the journey of success. In the midst of uncertainty and a sea of ambiguity, be encouraged that the best of life is yet to come.

Joel Osteen wrote in his recent book, It's Your Time,

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"Your best days (opportunities) are in front of you and not behind you.

God will not let you go through more than you can handle. If you have a big challenge that is standing in your way of opportunity that just means you have a bigger destiny. Extraordinary people face extraordinary difficulties. But the good news is we serve an extraordinary God...In tough times you've got to draw the line in the sand. This difficulty will not bury me. This loss, this disappointment, this injustice, will not cause me to give up on my opportunities and dreams. I refuse to live in self-pity. I know I am a seed. That means I cannot be buried. I can only be planted.

I may be down but it is only temporary. I'm not only coming back; I will come back better than I was before."

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, young and old, it is never too late. For every setback, God has a predestined comeback but we have to be open and attentive because opportunity may not knock on your door or simply show up on your doorstep, especially if you are not proud to be a life-long student of opportunity.

Remember, accomplishing anything requires discipline...deliberate, determined, definable action with a clear goal in mind.

SOURCE: www.noelpinnock.com

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In the Business Community…

To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photo Gallery.’

Greater Houston Frontiers Club VIP Mayor’s Reception at the Tasting Room at the Anheuser Busch Brewery

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8 | February 2018 Business

Attendees Come Out On Top At Texas Black Expo CEO Roundtable & Pitch Competition

Local Small Business Owners and Start-Ups Win Big in Pitch Competition By d-mars.com News Provider

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he Texas Black Expo (TBE) hosted its annual CEO Roundtable and Pitch Competition on Tuesday, January 9 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The theme for this year’s event was “Resilience: Overcoming Adversity in Business.” The purpose of this annual event is to pair small business owners with seasoned business executives and leaders for insight and relationship building, and to give startups an opportunity to win cash and prizes toward their business ventures. More than 70 people were in attendance at the event, which included breakfast, a panel of experts, roundtable sessions and networking.

Carlecia Wright, director of the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunities, served as the keynote speaker. Her remarks were tailored around the efforts of Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City to support local businesses toward success. Wright also gave tips on business development, funding and certification.

After the keynote address, attendees gathered in small round table discussions where panelists shared tips and answered questions in 15-minute increments.

The sessions were divided into finance, branding and marketing, legal tips and business and politics.

Panelists included Cornell England, AVP, Commercial Banking, BBVA Compass; Marlen Whitley, Partner, Smith Reed, LLP; Dr. Letitia Plummer, owner of Maxwello Dental and Congressional Candidate; Terri Thomas, program director, Radio One Houston; and Jeffrey Boney, (D) Council Member, Fort Bend County.

During the pitch competition, 15 people pitched their businesses before three judges. The first-place winner received $5,000 cash, a booth at the upcoming 2018 Texas Black Expo Summer Celebration (#TBE2018),

advertisement in the Houston Forward Times newspaper, an email advertisement blast from d-mars.com, professional headshots and a one-hour business consulting session from BBVA Compass. The second-place winner received a booth at #TBE2018, a professional headshot and a one-hour business consultation session.

The third-place winner won a professional headshot and a one-hour business consultation session.

Sponsors for this year’s event included, BBVA Compass, NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care, Houston Forward Times, d-mars.com and CharlesDante Photography.

AboutTexas TexasBlack BlackExpo Expo About Texas Black Expo, Inc. (TBE) is a non-profit organization that aims to stimulate growth and development within urban communities by strengthening businesses, inspiring youth, and building better lives. Mostly known for its annual African American tradeshow and festival, TBE also delivers year-round community programs and events that connect Texas corporations with the local communities they serve. The organization was founded in 2007 by President Jerome D. Love and Vice President Shannon Cormier, Ph.D. Prior to that, TBE operated and was known as the Houston Black Expo from 2004 to 2006. For more information, visit TexasBlackExpo.com.

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By d-mar

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ard work has b Kenneth Earl Llo can remember. S take that work ethic into e

"Because my father was so committed to the community, I perpetuate that and teach my kids a set of core values that will hopefully help them perpetuate a legacy of success, obligation, giving to our community, impacting our people, and impacting the lives of other kids." ­—Kenneth Earl Lloyd

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As the Vice President of for Total Life Changes (T tional network marketing the fastest-growing comp “Kenny,” as he’s known has consistently blazed n trepreneurship. He has milestones and tremendo the network marketing in dation and vision for en United States. In fact, Ke with more than 16 fam million dollar earners.

But it’s not making mil his greatest joy.

“My father was a shini means to give back. He ga nity, he put emphasis on yo His father is the hist “Big Cat” Francis Lloyd, champion, who, in 1950 rican American to play p in the National Basketba In 1955, he was the fir player to win a national ship and was also the fi assistant coach in the N head coach of the Detro Lloyd was also inducted of Fame in 2003.

In addition to his achie Earl Lloyd was just as d munity. It was that desir of greatness that prompte

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The Lloyd Family

oundation

petuating a legacy of greatness

rs.com

rovider

been a cornerstone of oyd’s life for as long as he So, it’s no surprise, he’d everything he does.

f North American Sales TLC), a leading internag company and one of panies in the industry, to family and friends, new trails in bold enaccomplished notable ous financial success in ndustry, laying a founntrepreneurs across the enny has worked closely ilies to become multi-

llionaires that gives him

ing example of what it ave back to the commuoung kids,” Kenny said. tory-making late Earl a basketball giant and 0, became the first Afprofessional basketball all Association (NBA). rst African American basketball championfirst African American BA, and later became oit Pistons. The elder in the Basketball Hall

evements on the court, dedicated to the comre to carry on a legacy ed Kenny to start The

Lloyd Family Foundation (LFF), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

With the foundation, Kenny continues his father’s legacy of philanthropy and community service by helping single-parent families and students in need.

“Because my father was so committed to the community, I perpetuate that and teach my kids a set of core values that will hopefully help them perpetuate a legacy of success, obligation, giving to our community, impacting our people, and impacting the lives of other kids.

The legacy is about my father, but it’s about us perpetuating the legacy,” Kenny said.

Even though he now works tirelessly with Total Life Changes, Kenny remains committed to carrying that legacy forward through the foundation.

“My father’s legacy will live on because I am his legacy,” Kenny said. “I am one of his offspring and therefore, I represent his greatest work that he ever achieved. When I’m gone, people may think my business and what I gave back to the community is my greatest work. It’s not. My greatest work will be my children and what they continue to carry on.”

sity to stay laser-focused on your goals.

Earl Lloyd’s Lloyd’s Legacy Legacy Earl Earl Lloyd’s legacy of greatness and service to humanity is being valiantly carried on by Kenny and his children - Sierra, Alexander and Myles Lloyd, who are using their unique gifts and talents to make major contributions in their own ways to benefit society.

“When my father passed, his service lasted about three hours. An hour and a half was people walking across the stage and delivering fond memories of my father. They were not just athletes and entertainers, but average people. That speaks to his legacy. My children represent and carry on the legacy of the Lloyd name,” Kenny said.

Family Family

TheLloyd LloydFamily FamilyFoundation Foundation The Building a legacy is what is at the core of The LFF. “It’s imperative that I teach my children about legacy. It’s a set of principles, a core value that you perpetuate from one generation to another. Some people carry it, some people drop it. So, for me, it is about my children,” he said.

A major component of The LFF is a “Mentoring and Leadership” program.

“As a foundation, it is critical that participants understand the importance of positive role models and having someone whom they can speak confidently without judgment. We insure im-

portant mentor and networking interaction between Scholars and professionals,” Kenny said.

Participants in the Mentoring and Leadership program take part in career exploration, practical life skills and leadership development workshops. They network with dozens of community leaders, corporate executives and government officials; engage through cultural, recreational and community service outings; and interact with LFF staff and sponsors as well members of LFF’s extensive volunteer corps. See It Thru is a highlighted program of LFF and year-round mentoring efforts. Throughout the year, smaller regional events and gatherings are held.

LFF sponsors and partners offer valuable career opportunities by providing internships, permanent employment and exposure to a rich network of professionals. The LFF staff works on a customized basis with corporations, community leaders, government agencies and other employers to identify “good fit” job opportunities and to prepare individuals to become leaders in a global market place.

Kenny attributes much of his positive attitude and winning ways to his parents’ example and teaching. He is especially grateful that his father taught him about honor and about how to be a real man. He modeled for him how to handle pressure and how to overcome adver-

With his dynamic wife, Chante by his side, Kenny continues the solid work with the foundation while propelling TLC to new heights. He’s managed to build a multi-million-dollar business and continue his father’s legacy with the foundation – all while overcoming a number of obstacles along the way.

“Of course, I’ve had challenges, both in business and with the foundation. But I had an obligation to my family,” Kenny added. “I didn’t have the option to fail because I had people counting on me. I can’t give up. What example would that be setting for my children? I watched my father be an incredible husband to my mother. I watched him be an incredible father to me.

I felt an obligation to do the same. My parents made a tremendous sacrifice to give me the life I have so I would never let those sacrifices crash and burn because I didn’t have the courage to fight through some tough times.

“I think that some things you want to do and some you are obligated to do. When you honor the sacrifices people made for you,” he added.

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16 | February 2018 Education

The Missouri City - Sugar Land Chapter, Jack and Jill of America,

Incorporated Hosts Inaugural Black History Program By: Alisa Manning Peppers News Provider

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he Missouri City - Sugar Land Chapter - Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated recently hosted its inaugural Black History Program, “Our History - A Journey through the Ages” at Lake Olympia Middle School. Over 200 members, families, and guests attended this fun and educational historical tribute to Black History.

The children demonstrated their oratorical skills and took the guests on a journey through the ages with powerful tributes to African-American leaders, activists, musicians, and artists. The youngest performers, wearing black berets, payed homage to the Black Panther movement. A movement started in 1966 to help minority groups demand equality in education, housing, employment, and civil rights.

The elementary-aged participants presented an electrifying Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Parade. The participants wore their chosen school's t-shirt proudly announcing their HBCU and notable alumni for each.

The middle school and high school teens showcased musical genres through the decades including Doo Wop, Blues, R&B, Jazz, and Rap/Hip Hop. In between the group performances, children showcased their individual talents. A young vocalist performed "Here Comes the Sun", a trumpet player jazzed up the crowd with "When The Saints Go Marching In" accompanied by a second line, a harpist played a tribute

to a Black Jazz Harpist - Dorothy Ashby and a theatrical performance written by one of our teens energized everyone.

The event concluded with the singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" originally written as a poem and set to

music in the 1900's. It is now referred to as the Negro National Anthem. The event was free to all and a major success.

Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated is an organization founded in 1938 with the mission of stimulating the growth and development of children through educational, cultural, civic, recreational, health and social programs inspired by members who are all mothers.

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For a special discount use code DMARS.

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18 | February 2018 Political

Mayor Turner Appoints Mary Benton as Interim Press Secretary

By Sylvester Turner Mayor of Houston

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ayor Sylvester Turner accepted the immediate resignation of Press Secretary Darian Ward today and appointed longtime news veteran Mary Benton to serve as interim press secretary.

“Darian Ward served the city as a key communicator for many years and has our thanks for working in public service,” the mayor said. “I hope she is successful in her next endeavors.”

After working as a news reporter for KPRC (Channel 2) for 20 years, Mary Benton served the public since 2014

as a communications director, manager and aide at Harris County government agencies. She is experienced in media relations, community outreach, crisis management, intergovernmental relations and strategic media engagements.

“The addition of Mary Benton to our team brings even more experience and expertise to our work of keeping Houstonians informed about their government’s many actions on their behalf, such as reducing flooding, restoring the city’s financial health, leveraging our status as a welcoming community that is the nation’s most diverse, and much, much more,” the mayor said.

SOURCE: www.houstontx.gov

Mary Benton

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February 2018  |  21 Real Estate

Ford Motor Company Honors Unsung Heroes By d-mars.com News Provider

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ecently, Ford Motor Company, in partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, honored the Unsung Heroes of Hurricane Harvey in the Houston African American community.

In every community there are people who go above and beyond to positively impact countless lives. Their stories deserve recognition. Ford Freedom Unsung celebrates these extraordinary individuals and organizations within communities across the country whose achievements may otherwise go unacknowledged.

This special Hurricane Harvey Edition celebrated individuals who went above and beyond to support the Houston region during this difficult time.

Honorees were selected based on outstanding accomplishments including unique and valiant acts that positively impact lives in their immediate or widespread community. Their actions affected many and imparted triumphant outcomes.

Made possible by a grant from Ford Motor Company Fund, Ford Freedom Unsung salutes and honors those who have positively impacted communities and whose achievements serve to enlighten and inspire others.

Source: Ford Motor Company

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TH E

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N E TW O R K

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